Biodiversity and cultural diversity Connections
In Brazil indigenous people often inhabit areas which are vulnerable to climate change and environmental changes. For instance, the Guarani tribe who depend on the natural resources located around them. This tribe is semi nomadic and is known for their fierce warrior traditions. The word Guarani means Warrior.
The Toco Toucan is the largest species of the Toucan family located in the Pantanal Wetlands of Brazil. This species is also found in semi open areas throughout central and eastern South America. For the indigenous people of Brazil this species is carved into tribal totem poles and is believed to be able to be used by the medicine men to fly to the spirit world. Some tribes have an superstition that if a father eats or touches an Toucan that his newborn baby will be cursed. ("Brazilian fauna.com," 2013)
Located in the northeastern part of Brazil lies an ecoregion called Caatinga. (Picture Below)This region is one of the most threatened natural landscapes and it have an semi dry climate with irregular rains. Caatinga is an type of vegetation, in fact the word Caatinga means "white vegetation." The soil in this region is shallow, stony and make agriculture very difficult. Caatinga plants have small leaves of thorns that aids in prevention of losing water by the epidermis. You can find lizards and reptiles, the jaguar, and the collard anteater in this region. ("Brazil animals and," )
The Toco Toucan is the largest species of the Toucan family located in the Pantanal Wetlands of Brazil. This species is also found in semi open areas throughout central and eastern South America. For the indigenous people of Brazil this species is carved into tribal totem poles and is believed to be able to be used by the medicine men to fly to the spirit world. Some tribes have an superstition that if a father eats or touches an Toucan that his newborn baby will be cursed. ("Brazilian fauna.com," 2013)
Located in the northeastern part of Brazil lies an ecoregion called Caatinga. (Picture Below)This region is one of the most threatened natural landscapes and it have an semi dry climate with irregular rains. Caatinga is an type of vegetation, in fact the word Caatinga means "white vegetation." The soil in this region is shallow, stony and make agriculture very difficult. Caatinga plants have small leaves of thorns that aids in prevention of losing water by the epidermis. You can find lizards and reptiles, the jaguar, and the collard anteater in this region. ("Brazil animals and," )
The Boto CorDeRosa also known as the Amazon River Dolphin is an freshwater dolphin endemic located in the Orinoco, Amazon and along the Araguia river systems of Brazil. This dolphin is the largest cetacean to spend most of it's life in freshwater, and it can grow larger than the human body. An amazonian folklore mentions a shapeshifter called Encantados. The natural form of this shapeshifter is the Boto but at night they are able to transform into beautiful men and women who show up at parties, seduce people, and produce illegitimate children with humans.("Brazil animals and," )
Brazil is the only known country to have this species called the Golden Lion Tamarin. Rio De Janeiro is one of the three habitats for this species. The golden Lion tamarin is the smallest number of primates but is also the largest member of the Tamarin family. This species is omnivorous and have an diet that consists of insects, fruits, spiders, snake, and lizards. Countries around the world have begin breeding these animals and an reintroduction program has been initiated to allow the monkeys to be released into the rain forest of Brazil. 70% of the animals that are released die because of their inability to adopt to the surroundings of the wild. Halfway houses are being created to lower the species mortality rate.("Golden Tamari," 2013)
There are several environmental issues in Brazil. Some of them include deforestation, acid rain, endangered species,and waste disposal. Deforestation is the main and major concern in the Amazon Rain Forest. Every minute vast proportions of trees are being torn down for timber, development, and agriculture. When a tree is cut down it reduces carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, which increases the risk of climate change. When the levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide rise in the the atmosphere the result is acid rain, rain and precipitation that is high in these gases which are harmful to the soil and delicate ecosystems on which they settle. When an area is subject to ongoing acid rain the natural pH (acidity level) of it's soils and water changes and limits the plants and animals that can live there. Endangered species are numerous in Brazil. Due to hunting, destruction of habitat, and introduction to foreign competitive species Brazil's natural fauna have declined in numbers. Some of the species include the Jaguar, the Spiny Race Rat, the Northern Bahia Blond Ti Ti monkey, and the Black Faced Tamari. When foreign species are introduced in an area like Brazil they cause shifts in the balance of the existing ecosystem. They eat to much and they move in different patterns which changes the behavior of the indigenous animals. Brazil produce enormous amounts of solid waste. Today Brazil produces more than 161,000 tons of solid waste a day. About two thirds of municipalities use landfills to dispose of their waste. As landfills expand, natural areas have to be reduced and the soil in and around these areas become toxic or unable to sustain life. The solution to the waste disposable problem is using recycled and recyclable goods, as well as major education that assists with the responsible use and disposal of various items in the home and workplace.("Brazil's geography," 2011)
Citations
Brazil's geography. (2011). Retrieved from www.Brazil.org.za
Brazil animals and plants. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.kidscornerbrazil.org
Brazilian fauna.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.Brazilianfauna.com
Citations
Brazil's geography. (2011). Retrieved from www.Brazil.org.za
Brazil animals and plants. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.kidscornerbrazil.org
Brazilian fauna.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.Brazilianfauna.com