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Published byJuliette Latchford Modified over 10 years ago
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REGIONAL SLIDES
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Santa Cruz, Bolivia Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador Iguazú, South America Rondonia, Brazil Valdivian, Chile Brasilia, Brazil Santiago, Chile Yungay, Peru Escondida, Chile LATIN AMERICA
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Latin America is very rich in water resources; the region contains four of the world’s 25 largest rivers—the Amazon, Paraná, Orinoco and Magdalena 20%of global runoff—the renewable water source that constitutes fresh water supply—comes from the Amazon Basin The highest absolute forest loss is taking place in Brazil LATIN AMERICA 6 of the 9 hotspots rich in bird biodiversity are in Latin America – richest is the Andes (2 139 species) and Amazon basin is second (961 species) Mining has had a long history in Chile and Peru and now accounts for more than 6% of each country's GDP Sources: GEO 2006; Mines and Communities 2005
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Conversion of forests to farmlands in Santa Cruz, Bolivia 1975: Forested landscape 2003: Large corporate agricultural fields transform the landscape
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Shrimp farms replacing mangroves in Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras 1987-1999: shrimp farms and ponds have mushroomed, carpeting the landscape around the Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras, in blocks of blue and black shapes
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Changes in Ecuador’s largest sea port: Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador Ecuador’s primary city and largest sea port 1985-2000: Loss of mangrove and growth of aquaculture can be seen
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Visible changes in Iguazú National Park South America 1973: Forest cover is extensive throughout the region 2003: Extensive deforestation in Paraguay
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Changes in tropical forests of Rondonia Brazil 1975 -Healthy natural vegetation 1989 -“Fishbone” pattern on the landscape indicate agriculture fields 2001 -Agriculture continues to replace forest cover
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Regular monitoring of Amazon Rainforest Almost one fifth of the Amazon rainforest has been cleared. 26,000 sq km August 2003 to August 2004 alone; 6% higher than the previous 12 months Deforestation was worst in the state of Mato Grosso
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Forest plantation effort decreases native forests in Valdivian, Chile Small scale logging of native forests, livestock and agriculture have been replaced by large scale timber production 1975-2001: Show changes in land use during the last 30 years
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Unplanned growth of Brasilia, Brazil 1973-2001: Unplanned urban development resulted in a collection of urban “satellites” around the city
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Home to more than one-third of country’s population – Santiago, Chile The explosive growth of Santiago urban area
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City buried by an avalanche Yungay, Peru Earthquake triggers Avalanche, buries a city Scars of the events are still visible today
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Earthquake ruined an entire city Yungay, Peru 1970: Earthquake wipes out Yungay, claims 18,000 lives
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Escondida – world’s largest copper mine Chile 1989: Shows impoundments (white patch in the lower left corner 2003: Shows growth and expansion of the mine
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One Planet Many People: Atlas of Our Changing Environment Thank You! Free Downloads: www.na.unep.net Purchase: www.Earthprint.com LATIN AMERICA
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