Carbon dioxide uptake by an undisturbed tropical rain forest in southwest Amazonia, 1992 to 1993.

(eds) Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis (Cambridge Univ. Pattern and process in Amazon tree turnover, 1976–2001. Increasing turnover through time in tropical forests. Growth responses of seedlings of early and late successional tropical forest trees to elevated atmospheric CO2. Competition and patterns of resource use among seedlings of five tropical trees grown at ambient and elevated CO2. High tree species richness on poor soils. These compositional changes could have important impacts on the carbon storage, dynamics and biota of Amazonian forests.ĭe Oliveira, A. Rising atmospheric CO 2 concentrations 6 may explain these changes, although the effects of this and other large-scale environmental alterations remain uncertain. However, genera of faster-growing trees, including many canopy and emergent species, are increasing in dominance or density, whereas genera of slower-growing trees, including many subcanopy species, are declining. Contrary to recent predictions 2, 3, 4, 5, we observed no increase in pioneer trees. An independent, eight-year study in nearby forests corroborates these shifts in composition. Of 115 relatively abundant tree genera, 27 changed significantly in population density or basal area-a value nearly 14 times greater than that expected by chance. Within these plots, rates of tree mortality, recruitment and growth have increased over time. Our analyses are based on a network of 18 permanent plots unaffected by any detectable disturbance. Here we show that, over the past two decades, forests in a central Amazonian landscape have experienced highly nonrandom changes in dynamics and composition. Finally, consumers can help shape how policy is made and interpreted by following Cornucopia’s work and making their voices heard.Amazonian rainforests are some of the most species-rich tree communities on earth 1. These areas help farmers by supporting beneficial insects and wildlife, providing water and air filtration, and imparting natural buffers.įarmers can obtain conservation easements to offset the economic burden of leaving land undisturbed.

In the meantime, certifiers, farmers, and consumers should be educated about the benefits native ecosystems provide to everyone, so as to help discourage continued conversion. With hard work, the regulations that unintentionally catalyze the conversion of pristine lands can be revised. Overall, disincentives for the conversion of native ecosystems are necessary to prevent organic production from doing more harm than good. Once pristine lands are lost, they are gone forever. While organic farms support a much higher level of biodiversity than do conventional farms, native ecosystems provide far greater benefits to plants, animals, and the human environment. In the current organic regulations, land being converted to organic production must “ ave had no prohibited substances… applied to it for a period of three years immediately preceding harvest of the crop…”īecause native ecosystems are pristine, farmers can plow up native grassland, forest, scrubland, and riparian zones and immediately start farming them “organically.” In an unpredictable economic climate, this loophole can be attractive to farmers or large corporate agribusinesses wanting to expand quickly. Unfortunately, the organic regulations do not protect native ecosystems from being converted to organic farmland. Organic agriculture should, ultimately, attempt to “do no harm” by conserving and even rehabilitating biodiversity, building good soil, and decreasing chemical inputs.

Wild spaces also provide “ecosystem services,” including flood control, water filtration, and carbon sequestration, benefitting the public as a whole. These native ecosystems are more than just wild spaces because they remain undisturbed environments, they are treasure troves of plant and animal biodiversity, and may even be vital to the survival of some species. In other words, it has not been tilled, logged, or significantly altered from its original character. Wild spaces are being lost at an unprecedented pace due to these pressures.Ī native ecosystem is one that is largely undisrupted by human hands. This land use, combined with increasing environmental pressures from climate change, pollution, and population growth, has a cumulative effect on the environment. Driven by higher demand, there is increasing pressure to convert even more land for use in food production.

Industrial-scale agriculture is one of the primary causes of ecosystem and biodiversity losses. Why Not to Convert Native Land to Organic Managementįarm and Food Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia InstituteĪs consumers become more educated about the strain conventional agriculture places on human and environmental health, the organic market is also facing an increase in demand.

Undisturbed nature