Latin America is a region of forests. In Colombia, for example, about 5.700 tree species are registered out of the approximately 60.000 that exist in the world, and in Brazil it is possible to find about 8.700 registered trees.
A forest is, precisely, a terrestrial ecosystem dominated by trees and plants, and thanks to the diversity of climatic conditions in Latin America it is possible to find different types of forests: rain, dry, cloud and Andean forests are some of them.
They are home to a large part of the region’s species, and worldwide, forests are home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Numerous water sources that supply us run through them, and they regulate temperature and capture carbon, reducing the impact of climate change on the planet. Learn about their current situation and how you can protect them:
Endangered forests:
Deforestation caused by human agricultural activities, indiscriminate logging and fires continue to threaten the life of these ecosystems. According to IDEAM, in 2018 Colombia lost 197.159 hectares of forest, an alarming figure at a time when we are increasingly talking about climate change. Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru are 4 of the 10 countries with the highest annual deforestation rates.
This situation not only affects the fauna and flora that are part of this ecosystem, but also the entire planet. When a forest is cut down or destroyed, large amounts of carbon gases are generated, and the impact is even long-term, as those trees that used to collect carbon dioxide from the environment will no longer collect it.
Why are they important in our lives?
It is easy to think that forest-dwelling species depend on forests well-being to survive. However, they are not the only ones affected by deforestation.
Forests provide food and water needed for our food supply. According to WWF figures, more than 60% of the planet’s water is stored in forests. These ecosystems are responsible for absorbing the carbon that we generate every day with our activities and produce the oxygen we need to breathe. For this reason, they become a key element for the well-being of the planet and the species that inhabit it.
What does Conexión Jaguar do to protect them?
When we protect the jaguar, we are also protecting the biodiversity and ecosystems that coexist with it. At Conexión Jaguar we keep the forests of the Jaguar Corridor alive by supporting forestry projects and reducing carbon emissions.
The initiatives that are part of the Program are of two types: projects aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (known as REDD+) and rural afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation initiatives (known as ARR).
The selected projects will become part of the Conexión Jaguar Program, and will be provided with technical and financial support, so that they can issue, and trade carbon credits certified under the highest international standards.
Thus, through the protection of the largest feline in the Americas, we guarantee the well-being of the forests and contribute to the reduction of the impact of climate change.
