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The Amazon Rainforest: The Greatest Remaining Ancient Forest

What Makes a Forest an Ancient Forest?

Ancient forests are forest areas that are relatively undisturbed by human activity. These forests are home to the majority of plant and animal species found on land.

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Impacts of Deforestation on the Amazon

The Amazon is one of the richest areas in the world in animal and plant diversity. There are more plant species in one hectare in the Amazon than the whole of Europe. Over 200 species of trees can be found on one hectare of Amazon, and one tree has been shown to have 72 different species of ants living in it. Logging and other extractive industries are decimating this precious area.

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Into the Heart of the Amazon - The Greenpeace Deni Indian Expedition

Our Ancient Forest push targeted illegal timber shipments for several months during the winter of 2002. Activists from two Greenpeace ships worked non-stop to block imports of illegally logged timber from Africa and the Amazon.

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Into the Heart of the Amazon - The Greenpeace Deni Indian Expedition

In September 2001, Greenpeace sent three international teams of volunteers into the Amazon to help the Deni Indians demarcate their land to save it from loggers. On October 2, the Brazilian government attempted to stop the demarcation. The Deni continued the demarcation with the help of Greenpeace and on October 18th, it was announced that the Brazilian government would formally recognize the demarcation, permanently setting aside Deni Indian land for their sole occupation and use, thereby protecting it from industrial uses and logging.

Amazon Tour: Find Out About the Region from Crew Members Aboard the Amazon Guardian

In February 2001, Guardian embarked on a four-month tour through the various rivers of the Amazonas and Para States to denounce illegal logging in this Amazon region. "The Amazon Guardian will broaden our capability to investigate and collect data about the Amazon reality." said Paulo Adario, Greenpeace's Amazon campaigner in Manaus.

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Big Win for Amazon Communities

If the U.S. election still has you down, try this for a pick-me-up: Five million acres of Amazon rainforest are now federally protected, thanks to an agreement signed by Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva on November 9. The decision represents a major victory for local residents, who have lived amidst a raging conflict over land and forest, and for the millions of people worldwide who are concerned about protecting the earth's biodiversity.

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