More than 1/3 of Earth's species -- and about 30% of the total living plants and animals on Earth -- live in the Amazon. Discover a noted scientist's perspective on the perils and promise of this region -- today on Earth and Sky.
DB: This is Earth and Sky. Thomas Lovejoy is a biologist who's spent his career working in the Amazon, mostly in Brazil. He was the first to use the term "biodiversity," in a scientific paper, 22 years ago.
Thomas Lovejoy: Well, when you look back, you see two very different and contrasting trends. One is sort of the gloomy one: increased deforestation, increased human population relating to deforestation, and a role of fire in the Amazon on a scale that's never been seen in history.
DB: But Dr. Lovejoy is also hopeful...
Thomas Lovejoy: At the same time, you can see really measurable progress -- and I'm thinking of the creation of national parks and indigenous areas, efforts to fund sustainable development kinds of activities for the local population. So you see both good and you see both bad, and it's going to be a race to the finish.
DB: Lovejoy thinks there will be a slowing of deforestation -- and even active reforestation. Ultimately, he predicts, some 80% of the Amazon will remain forested -- but some of that won't be original, old growth forest. More tomorrow. Thanks today to the U.S. Forest Service and to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - supporting the conservation of native fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. I'm Deborah Byrd for Earth and Sky.
