When we think of the Amazon, we often picture trees, but the aquatic ecosystem is just as vital. The Amazon River and its thousands of tributaries contain roughly 20% of the world’s fresh river water. This intricate network is home to extraordinary species, including the pink river dolphin, the giant otter, and thousands of unique fish species that sustain local economies.
Overfishing, mercury pollution from illegal gold mining, and mega-dam constructions are threatening these vital waterways. Protecting the Amazon requires a holistic approach that treats the rivers and the forest as a single, inseparable living organism.