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History of the Amazon: How did ancient civilizations influence this rainforest?
The Amazon rainforest, this vast moist tropical forest, is an important ecosystem in the Amazon Basin of South America. Its area covers nine countries and more than 3,344 indigenous territories. This forest contains the most diverse group of organisms in the world and has an ecological value that is hard to measure. However, with economic development and population growth, this precious forest faces unprecedented threats, especially large-scale logging and deforestation activities.
The Amazon rainforest is not only a natural wonder, but also a place rich in history and culture, shaping the pace of countless ancient civilizations.
The influence of ancient civilization
According to archaeological evidence, humans settled in the Amazon as early as 11,200 BC. Over time, late prehistoric settlements emerged on the edge of this rainforest, which not only met people's survival needs but also caused changes in forest cover.
Archaeologist Betty Meggers has long theorized that the soil in the Amazon was too poor to support large-scale agriculture, so the area had extremely low human population density. However, as anthropology advances, more and more evidence shows that ancient civilizations here may have actually been very prosperous. It is estimated that in 1500 AD, the Amazon region may have a population of 5 million, with large coastal and inland settlements.
Through the latest archaeological discoveries, we are increasingly aware that the history of the Amazon was not a wilderness, but a brilliant stage of human activity.
Forest evolution and human activities
The agricultural techniques of ancient Amazonian societies were the result of thousands of years of interaction between humans and the natural mother soil. For example, "terra preta" (black soil), an extremely fertile soil, is the product of long-term land management by indigenous people. It can support the growth of a variety of crops and effectively promote local prosperity.
Diversity and human roles in the Amazon
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, with more than 40,000 species of plants, 2,200 species of fish and 1,200 species of birds known to inhabit it. People often overlook the importance of this forest in human history and the cultural prosperity behind it. In fact, ancient indigenous wisdom and management are crucial to protecting this ecosystem.
Due to human over-intervention and deforestation, the Amazon is currently facing unprecedented ecological challenges, with more than 90% of plant and vertebrate species affected by fires.
When the balance of the overall ecosystem is destroyed, where will Amazon's future go?
Conservation and future challenges
Amid the global push for sustainable development, conservation efforts in the Amazon have received increasing attention. Environmental organizations and social groups in different countries continue to work hard to advocate the rights and interests of indigenous peoples and emphasize their importance in ecological protection.
As the effects of climate change intensify, ecosystem protection in the Amazon faces major challenges. Soil erosion, droughts and fires are frequent, and the rate of biodiversity loss is accelerating. In this context, can all sectors of society work together to conduct in-depth reflection and action on the current situation of Amazon?
