Final PresentationM2K6Final Presentation OutlineROUGH DRAFTMission 2006OUR MISSION: “To develop a way to characterize and monitor the well-being of the Amazon Basin Rainforest and devise a set of practical strategies to ensure its preservation.”I. Introduction to Mission 2006: (to be sent)- Welcome to the audience, and thanks given to Professor Hodges and our guest panelists.- What is Mission 2006 (unless Professor Hodges has covered this in his speech)- History of this project: how were we given the mission; how were the initial teams formed?- Restatement of the Mission statement and definition of words and phrases.What is our interpretation of the mission?II. Introduction to the AmazonA. Basic facts: What makes the Amazon unique? What are its natural aspects of the forest?Conditions for existence of rainforestThe two factors which enable a rainforest to exist are an almost constant temperature and a high, regular precipitation rate. These two characteristics are the basis for all functions which occur.Conditions for biodiversityThe dense population of tall trees creates a canopy that creates a constant warm, humid and dimly lit environment to the lower layers. In these unique conditions, many there arespecies that have only evolved in the Amazon. Intro to cyclesThe high density of life results in a very fast turnover of nutrients in the environment. Almost all nutrients are stored in the biotic parts of the ecosystem. Waste matter of plantsand animals is quickly metabolized by decomposers and re-incorporated into living organisms. What makes a rainforest unique?The actual forest begins with a thick, nearly impenetrable wall of trees, vines, and shrubs.Once inside this wall, the forest is actually very open, with relatively little underbrush. The forest is comprised of several canopy levels, each with its unique group of flora and fauna. The physical structure of the forest is very efficient, capturing most of the sunlightbefore it reaches the ground story. This is the reason for relatively little vegetation on thefloor of the forest.Soil FYIMost of the nutrients in the forest are locked up in the vegetation. The soil is not very richor thick. It is estimated that there is only about 1" of leaf litter and 1"-2" of topsoil. However, the conditions in the rainforest (high moisture and warm temperature) allow for a very quick decomposition rate, so nutrients are recycled very quickly. Biodiversity FYIBrazil alone has between 10 and 20% of the world’s biodiversity, with approximately 500species of mammals1, 1600 species of birds2, and 1 million species of insects3 and 50,0004species of plants in a 2.5 million square mile area5. B. How does the Amazon affect us? How is it beneficial?BIODIVERSITY, natural resources, medicines, possible carbon sink ????????????????C. Description of the Amazonian ecosystem and its incredible breadth and depth, diversity and cycle equilibrium.TO BE COMPILEDD. Introduction to the players: individuals, groups, governments and companies that have a say in what happens to the rainforest and/or are impacted. Introduction to the basic laws that apply to the rainforest as well as social characterization. IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources): Background: The IBAMA, the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, is the critical environmental governing agency of the Brazilian Government. It regulates the use of the environment, especially the rainforest. It is responsible for creating laws restricting logging, farming, land-clearing, construction, deforestation, waterway use, and air regulation, amongst other things.6CONAMA: The National Environment Council (CONAMA)The National Environment Council (CONAMA) was created by Brazilian environmental Law No. 6,938 in August, 1981. According to the First national report for the Convention on Biological Diversity, "CONAMA establishes the norms and criteria for 1 http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/enter.html2 http://www.txdirect.net/sitc/sci-rain.htm3 http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/enter.html4 First National Report for the Convention on Biological Diversity - Brazil5 http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/enter.html6 No author. “The ARPA (Amazon Region Protected Areas) Project Overview: Report PID11197.” 9 May 2002: n. pag. On-line. Internet. 12 October 2002. Available WWW: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont= details&eid=000094946_0205170414391the licensing of polluting or environmentally damaging activities and determines, whenever necessary, research on alternatives and of the possible environmental consequences of public or private projects."7 Amazon Region Protected Areas (ARPA) Project:The aforementioned Amazon Region Protected Areas (ARPA) Project is a 10 year government program. It was created to establish a "mosaic" of protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon. Each year, it expands its ambitions, as it works towards its goal of rainforest conservation.American RelationsCongress biannually reviews foreign aid, including aid to Brazil. There are many American conservation groups, including Greenpeace and Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), which have already established strong public relations with important US politicians and representatives. International Relations: Japan: The Japanese Government is conduction a National Network Genome Project with incredible success in the Amazon near the Rio Negro River. This demonstrates theirinterests in the Amazon and their potential willingness to aid in further research and preservation.Holland: A Dutch group named the National Institute of Amazon Research (INPA) is a leader in Amazon research. Future research support and cooperation can be expected of this group and similar organizations.Economic Characterization (ECONOMY)As of the 1990 estimate, 17.4% of the population lies below the poverty line, with an unemployment rate of 7.1% (2000). The tenth of the population with highest income receives 47.6% of capital earned, while the bottom tenth receives only 1% (Central Intelligence Agency). This type of wealth distribution has been a significant contributor to social conflict and the recent regime change.The debt to GDP ratio increased 26% between 1994 and 2002, with the Net Consolidated Public Debt of R$708.45 billion, i.e. 56% of the GDP.III. Why action needs to be taken now – Three Major
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