Amazon Basin – How Important is it?

To understand the importance of the Amazon Basin, it is necessary to understand what the hydrographic basin is. About 40% of the Amazon basin is in Brazil, the rest passes through 7 countries in South America. In addition, it has one of the largest rivers in the world, the Amazon River.

All the grandeur of the Amazon Basin already shows how important it is for generating movement, food, and market for the residents of the region. It is also important for the planet, as it allows a rich ecosystem to function, enabling natural balance. For example, climate change, resulting from global warming, passes through these waters.

A lot of life happens in the Amazon Basin as the large volume of water creates a particular dynamic. There are points that can be flooded for 10 months, so it is possible to find semiaquatic animals. There are so many riches in the basin that it is difficult to list the importance of the Amazon Basin, perhaps the main one is life!

Learn more about the Amazon basin, its relationship with nature, and the Amazon River. And together with Redda+, participate in projects and actions that help to conserve and preserve the Amazon.

In this post:

• Hydrography of the Amazon Basin
• Main features of the Amazon Basin
• Major tributaries of the Amazon Basin
• The Amazon basin has the largest aquifer in the world
• Wetlands and land in the Amazon Basin
• What is the importance of the Amazon Basin
• Get to know Redda+

Hydrography of the Amazon Basin

A watershed consists of a natural formation of part water, part land. The hydrographic basin captures rainwater, coming from several rivers to the main river. In Brazil, there are about 12 hydrographic basins, distributed throughout the national territory. Are they:

• Amazon Basin
• San Francisco River Basin
• Tocantins Araguaia Basin
• Parnaíba Basin
• West Northeast Atlantic Basin
• East Northeast Atlantic Basin
• East Atlantic Basin
• Southeast Atlantic Basin
• South Atlantic Basin
• Paraná Basin
• Paraguay Basin
• Uruguay Basin

The four main basins in Brazil are the São Francisco River basin and the Tocantins Araguaia basin. In addition to the formation between the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay basins, known as the Platina basin or Rio Prata basin. The Amazon basin is considered the largest in Brazil and in the world. All the waters that flow into the Amazon River build this immense hydrographic basin.

The main river is the Amazon, which is why the basin is named after it. It is born in the Andes mountain range in Peru, but there it receives the name Apurimac. In the Andean countries, the Amazon River is also known as the Marañón River.

When the Marañón River enters Brazilian territory, it is called Solimões. It will, in fact, become the Amazon River, after the famous encounter with the Rio Negro, marked by clear and dark waters that do not mix. After completing the entire route, including through Brazil, the Amazon River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Amazon Basin is located in the northern region of Brazil and covers 7 states. The hydrographic areas are in plains and plateaus.

Main features of the Amazon Basin

The Amazon Basin passes through several Brazilian states and other countries, such as Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, British Guiana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. In Brazil, the states are: Acre, Amazonas, Roraima, Rondônia, Mato Grosso, Pará and Amapá.

The 7 thousand kilometers of the Amazon Basin make it the largest reservoir of fresh water in the world. Its waters are constituted by a mixed regime, that is, they receive water from rain and snow melt. The constancy of rainfall in the Amazon region is due to its geographical position.

In addition, the Amazon Basin is home to the largest equatorial and tropical forest in the world, the Amazon rainforest. No wonder, the Amazon basin has a great diversity of fauna and flora, in addition to being responsible for life in the forest.

Major tributaries of the Amazon Basin

The Amazon basin is located in the northern and southern hemispheres, therefore, it receives both periods of rain. Each hemisphere has a different rainfall period, which keeps the rainfall constant in the basin. Formed by more than 1,000 tributaries, these help to maintain the volume of water.

Some of the main tributaries on Brazilian soil are:

• The Madeira River;
• The Tapajos River;
• The Negro River;
• The Xingu River;
• The White River
• The Solimões River.

Another interesting feature of the Amazon River is that, in the dry season, it reaches up to 11 kilometers in width. In the rainy season, it can reach up to 50 kilometers in width. Therefore, there are sections where it is impossible to see the opposite bank, added to the fact that there are sharp curves on the earth’s surface.

The Amazon River has an average depth of 50 meters, and the deepest point can reach 120 meters. To get an idea, you could put Christ the Redeemer (38 meters) and the Statue of Liberty (93 meters) underwater.

The Amazon basin has the largest aquifer in the world

Understanding the importance of the Amazon Basin is also understanding that its large volume of water is really impressive. In addition, it also has an important aquifer. The Alter do Chão aquifer is located in three states in the North region. It is considered one of the largest underground water reserves in the world, in terms of water volume.

The aquifer is located more precisely in some parts of the state of Amazonas, Pará, and Amapá. Its closed system reaches a depth of 430 meters. And the open environment, 50 meters deep.

In Manaus, about 40% of the city’s supply is made from the waters of Alter do Chão. However, it is necessary to remember that the aquifer needs constant conservation and preservation to avoid contamination in the soil and water.

Wetlands and land in the Amazon Basin

The frequency of rain in the Amazon Basin causes areas of flooding at certain times of the year. The variation in the volume of water drives changes in the terrain throughout the year, making it possible to identify two types of areas: terrestrial and humid.

Areas that do not suffer from flooding from rivers are called dry areas, or dry land. However, about 30% of the Amazon basin has its lands wet by flooding, which is why they are called wetlands. Some data indicate that wetlands occupy about 125,000 square km.

These areas usually have the soil soaked by fresh, salt, or brackish water. The areas along the Amazon River are known as floodplains, identified as floodplains and igapós. Check out the differences between them:

Floodplains: fertile areas bathed by rivers of white or muddy water. It is quite present on the banks of the Solimões, Amazon, Madeiras, and Purus rivers. The high floodplains can be flooded for 50 days, with waters less than 3 meters high. The low floodplains are flooded for more than 50 days. The height of the water can reach up to 7 meters.

Igapós: are less fertile areas, bathed by black and clear waters. The areas receive a lot of decomposition of plant materials (leaves, trunks, branches). They are acidic waters, like the Rio Negro. The clear water rivers that bathe the igapós are the Tapajós, Xingu, Araguaia, Branco, and Trombetas rivers. Igapó forests can be flooded for up to 10 months. Therefore, there is a rich diversity of fauna and flora, mainly of the semiaquatic or arboreal species. The waters rise up to 10 meters.

What is the importance of the Amazon Basin

The large volume of water in the Amazon Basin is important as an energy matrix. In fact, of the five hydroelectric plants in Brazil, four are in the Legal Amazon and there are hundreds of other small hydroelectric plants. The Belo Monte hydroelectric plant, on the Xingu River, is one of the largest in the region. Despite the controversies, there are already projects for the construction of more hydroelectric plants in the region.

The Amazon Basin is also important for the displacement of traditional and indigenous peoples. The rivers are the streets of these people, who come and go in navigation. In addition, they use the river to extract their food, for their own consumption, or as merchandise. About 20 thousand kilometers of rivers are suitable for navigation.

In addition to these details, the Amazon basin has a great diversity of fauna and flora and also feeds many living beings. It is important for the conservation and preservation of the region’s ecosystem.

Tourist activity also takes advantage of the Amazon basin. Ecological tours through the forest and rivers, with stops at freshwater beaches.

Find out how Redda+ and you can help preserve the Amazon

Redda+ is a sustainable initiative that aims to support and develop projects designed for environmental well-being. However, it understands that the environment is made up of social and economic relationships, therefore, it seeks integrative actions. It is not just about preserving the Amazon, but understanding its real needs, and understanding that there is already life happening there.

Therefore, REDDA+ meets the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, seeking a union between growth and development. Through these objectives, it is possible to have a broad view of emergencies in each region. In addition, Redda+ uses REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) mechanisms.

REDD mechanisms are important guidelines for projects involving carbon offsetting. Carbon is one of the main greenhouse gases, one of the causes of global warming. Through the carbon market, Redda+ believes it can increase investments in conscientious projects.

Redda+ projects are focused on the Amazon region, so our name has the letter “A”. In Pará, the Portel region has already received our actions, they are projects articulated in communion with the community. It is an attempt to build sustainable cities that benefit their residents and the surrounding nature.

Click here to learn more about Redda+ projects and our goals. As well as you can help us to preserve the Amazon.