Writer: Greenpeace  

Through a research trip, biologist Leo Lanna presented the colorful and diverse ancient rainforest before our eyes. He saw with his own eyes the obvious differences between protected areas and deforested areas. After the trip, he quickly I appeal to the world: do your best to share the preciousness of the Amazon and the current crisis, so that the destruction of the rainforest by deforestation and fires can stop here.

In April 2021, Brazilian biologist Leo Lanna led the research team of the "Proyecto Mantis" to go deep into the Amazon to conduct investigation and research on the theme of praying mantises. For more than a month, he experienced the end of the Amazon rainy season and saw the changes brought about by deforestation in the forest. The following is his first-hand record report.

In April, we came to Mato Grosso in the Amazon Basin at the end of the rainy season. In the Cristalino Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), in the afternoon in the rainforest, the forest The fresh smell in the air lingers for a long time, and the air becomes brand new. The nearly month-long rainy season is coming to an end, with rainfall tapering off and the dry season beginning.

River levels dropped, small mudflats appeared, and forest swamps receded. The greenish green that can be seen everywhere is tinged with yellowish color due to moss and dead plants. Flowers have appeared, some are bearing fruit, and some are waiting for the rain to come again. They naturally adapt to the changes of the seasons. It is this special diversity that drives the birth and death of species in nature and the blooming and falling of flowers from generation to generation.

The Amazon mantis of the genus Metilia has huge wings similar to those of leaves. This mantis is difficult to survive outside the Amazon forest. Here I discovered many unique mantis species. It's right between the humid Amazon rainforest in the north and the dry Cerrado grassland in the south.

The Cerrado is considered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to be the most biologically rich savanna in the world. It is the second largest major habitat in Brazil after the Amazon rainforest, with approximately 10,000 plant species and 10 endemic bird species. kind. At the intersection of these two giant biomes, diverse and unique species can be found. This area is little known and very fragile.

‘Arc of deforestation’ erodes Amazon from edge to edge
Leaving the Cristalino Private Natural Heritage Reserve, the green space that was originally a forest has been opened up into a road, and the forest behind seems like a mirage. Two weeks ago, halfway through our research expedition, we traveled to a neighboring town and spent a month isolated in a reserve, surrounded by thousands of natural colors every day. However, as soon as I left the protected area, the surrounding single plants stretched beyond the boundless horizon. The dust raised by the cars covered the original greenery. The monotonous corn fields looked desolate under the epidemic. I felt sad. The cruel reality made me deeply receive a blow.

This area belongs to the "Arc of Deforestation" - the area with the highest rate of deforestation in the Amazon. Encouraged by ruthless governments, forests were cleared and turned into pastures, plantations, and mining sites. Predatory business models continue to play out in the “arc of deforestation.” If mining brings wealth, to whom does it go? More modern and more destructive machines brought more destruction to the Amazon.

Share the mysterious beauty of Amazon with more people
When we first arrived, the team chef, like most people, was afraid of being bitten by mantises and would usually just kill them. Now she happily poses with a mantis on her arm, wants to put the photo on a mug, and dreams of raising some in her orchid garden at home.

 The Amazon River is the river with the largest flow, drainage basin, and most tributaries in the world. It has nurtured dense Amazon forests on both sides of the river and is one of the ecosystems with the richest biodiversity in the world. The forest is still occupied by greedy and powerful outsiders who do not understand the forest and are willing to destroy everything to exploit it. Along with them came some people who just wanted to make money and make a living. In addition to the indigenous people who have long lived here, we need to talk to the predators and let them taste the mysterious beauty of the ancient Amazon.

For those who don’t know much about the Amazon rainforest, I would like to sincerely share the story of a scientist who fell in love with the Amazon. Share with them why they cry when they see a green field covered in dust, and why being immersed in this forest makes them forget everything else. Brazilian journalist and author Eliane Brum once said that the Amazon is the center of the world. For me it is also the heart of the world. Here, I experience what it means to truly be alive.

Facing dangerous reality with hope
After three years under the rule of a despicable regime, it is difficult for people to maintain hope, and they have even forgotten the feeling of hope. The latest data shows that in May 2021, man-made fires caused by clearing vegetation for agriculture caused a total of 3,815 fire hotspots in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, an increase of 65% from 2020 and the largest destruction in 14 years. forest growth rate.

 From July 29 to 31, 2021, Greenpeace came to the Amazon rainforest to monitor and record deforestation and forest fires. The areas that were cut down and burned will be used for cattle raising in the future. However, I believe that the worst phase will be over, and through the small changes brought about by thousands of people and the pressure generated by large-scale social movements, the road to Amazon's revival will surely be recreated. There is still time, albeit not much. Nature reserves like Cristalino guard the seeds of Amazon rebirth, where rare mantises and other animals, as well as centuries-old trees, are still alive. I hope everyone has the privilege and opportunity to see them in person and get to know them up close like I do.

We invite you to support Greenpeace and jointly prevent the Brazilian government and meat industry from illegally deforestation for commercial interests, endangering the Amazon ecosystem and contributing to the climate crisis. Your contribution can save the precious ecology and the lives of local indigenous people. Please join us in calling on all countries to take action to stop Brazil’s deforestation policy, face up to the harm caused by industrial meat production, stop investing in the meat industry, and let you One day I will be able to visit the Amazon rainforest in person, see the beauty of the ancient rainforest, and experience the mysterious beauty of coexisting with all things.