Los Patrones Climáticos
La lluvia que cae en el Amazonas tiene su origen en patrones climáticos que viajan del Este, en el océano Atlántico, hacia el Oeste, donde se trasladan a través de las tierras bajas del Amazonas y se aproximan a las montañas de los Andes. Al mismo tiempo, la transpiración diaria de los árboles amazónicos libera una gran cantidad de humedad al aire. A medida que esta humedad es empujada hacia los Andes, es apretada a través de valles estrechos, como el valle de Kosnipata, mostrado a continuación. Las nubes convergen y se condensan en forma de lluvia cuando golpean las montañas, que atrapan esta lluvia y la dirigen a los afluentes del río Amazonas. Casi el 20% de toda el agua dulce que viaja hacia los océanos del planeta, lo hace a través del río Amazonas.
Esta lluvia beneficia a las selvas tropicales amazónicas, que requieren de una cantidad significante de humedad durante la mayor parte del año. Los bosques utilizan esta humedad para la fotosíntesis, y luego, el vapor de agua es liberada en el aire. La deforestación del Amazonas inhibe este patrón, y seca los bosques de la parte occidental del continente. Científicos estiman que el 90% del Amazonas actual debe permanecer intacto para que este ciclo de humedad continúe y para que los bosques se mantengan sanos.
Aprende más sobre el Amazonas y los patrones climáticos globales
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