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Amazon Rainforest

Ecosystems

Ecological Travel / Brazil –
Amazon Tours / Brazil – In principle, the Amazon Rainforest biome distinguishes two types of ecosystems: aquatic ecosystems, representing about 5% of the biome's surface and terrestrial ecosystems (95%).

Aquatic Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems can be divided into periodically flooded areas (Várzeas) and permanently flooded areas (Igapós). These are plain areas of fluvial - sedimentary origin that margin the river banks. Its vegetation is denominated Alluvial Dense Tropical Rainforest. Despite relatively fertile soils, due to the vegetation's lack of capacity to adapt to the inundations, the flora diversity of this ecosystem is pretty low. Gama / de Souza / Martins registered 181 tree species in Várzea rainforests in the state of Pará.

Terrestrial Ecosystems

The terrestrial ecosystems, like Terra Firme occupy most of the Amazon territory. These are rainforests that never suffer inundation, occupying both, the Amazon Basin lowlands (above 50 m) such as the submontane scarps and plains of the highlands (see also Geology of the Amazon). This ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest has countless adaptations to face the poverty of sediments and nutrients. Its trees are able to fill up with nitrates through nitrogene - fixing bacteria which are connected to their roots. Therefore, its flora diversity is elevated. Gama / de Souza / Martins registered 1.192 tree species in Terra Firme rainforests in the state of Pará – Ecotourism in Brazil / Amazon.