The rainforest is a vital bulwark against climate change both for the carbon it absorbs and what it stores.

According to the report, the soil and vegetation of the Amazon hold about 200 billion tonnes of carbon, more than five times the whole world's annual CO2 emissions.

Furthermore the continued destruction caused by human interference in the Amazon puts more than 8,000 endemic plants and 2,300 animals at high risk of extinction, the report added.

Science shows humans face potentially irreversible and catastrophic risks due to multiple crises, including climate change and biodiversity decline, said University of Brasilia professor Mercedes Bustamante during a virtual panel discussion.

Understanding the Amazon.

The Amazon Stream Bowl is home to the biggest rainforest on the planet. The bowl covers around 40% of the South American mainland. Reflecting natural circumstances and past human impact, the Amazon is comprised of a mosaic of environments and vegetation types including rainforests, occasional woodlands, deciduous timberlands, overwhelmed backwoods, and savannas.

The bowl is traversed by the Amazon Stream, the world’s most significant waterway regarding the release, and the second-longest stream on the planet after the Nile. The waterway comprises the north of 1,100 feeders, 17 of which are longer than 1000 miles, and two of which (the Negro and the Madeira) are bigger, regarding volume, than the Congo stream.

Here, a list of just 8 Amazon Rainforest Endangered Species In Need of Saving in 2023

1. Golden Lion Tamarin

There are numerous monkey species that are endemic to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, one of which is the Golden Lion Tamarin. Its name, which interestingly was first coined by Madame de Pompadour in 1754, derives from its strikingly orange-coloured lion-like mane. The tamarin primarily lives in trees and forage for fruit, insects and even birds by traveling between branches. But deforestation to support the exponential growth of the logging and agriculture industries has destroyed the animal’s natural habitat. Today, only 2-3% of its original rainforest habitat remains, threatening the survival of the species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the Golden Lion Tamarin as an endangered species. 

2. Jaguars

The largest cat in the Americas, jaguars are one of the most iconic species in the Amazon currently threatened by the destruction of the ecosystem. These big cats are strong swimmers and climbers, and require large areas of tropical rainforest and stretches of river bank to survive. They also hunt most animals in the Amazon ranging from deers, armadillos, monkeys and lizards, playing an important part in population control of other species. Habitat loss  – jaguar now occupy less than half of its historical range, growing conflict with farmers and ranchers, as well as climate change which has increased risk of wildfire and reduced water resources, has driven the animal to be an Amazon rainforest endangered species.

3. Amazon River Dolphin

Also known as the pink river dolphin, the animal lives only in freshwater and is found throughout the Amazon river basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. Though the dolphin is protected in Brazil, its population continues to halve every decade and is now a IUCN-listed endangered species as poachers persistently hunt them for their fatty blubber to be used as bait to catch a carnivorous catfish. In other parts of the Amazon, the dolphin faces increasing threats of water pollution as well as dam installations creating habitat fragmentation. As female river dolphins bear only a single calf every four to five years on average, population numbers can be slow and difficult to recover. 

4. Giant Otters

As the name suggests, the giant otter is the largest species within the weasel family and are commonly spotted in the Peruvian portion of the Amazon rainforest, where they feed on fish and crustaceans. Much like most threatened species, habitat destruction and illegal hunting has driven its population to worryingly low numbers. The otters also face an additional threat of water contamination from mining and agricultural activities in the Amazon, and overfishing in their habitats. Though the species has been protected under Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) since 1973,  given the large territory that this animal requires, its protection and conservation can be a complicated task. 

5. Uakari Monkey

Another endangered monkey species on this list is the Uakari Monkey, an animal that is incredibly identifiable by its bright red face and bald head – not unlike an old man with a terrible sunburn. This particular primate was named after the Uakari tribe that once lived in the Amazon but has now unfortunately become extinct. However, worrying trends show that the monkey is on track to follow its namesake as extensive deforestation has destroyed much of their natural habitat, making it difficult for the animal to forage and nest. Some of its populations have also been vulnerable to illegal hunting. Native to western Amazon rainforest, the Uakari Monkey plays an important role in seed dispersal and is particularly crucial for its ability to transport seeds at a greater distance than smaller animals.