Conservation in Amazonia

Amazonian environments are being disrupted and their animal and plant species endangered as a result of intense development of resources throughout the region. Current conservation measures include several national parks and reserves and legislation for the protection of wildlife. The majority of the parks and reserves are located on the periphery of the Amazon region and most of the diversity of Amazonian communities is not at present protected. Legislation for wildlife protection is poorly enforced and there is inadequate information on the distribution and status of threatened species. Conservation efforts are being stimulated by an Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Management of the Amazon Flora and Fauna. In Brazil, an extensive planning programme is underway for the establishment of a network of parks and reserves in the Amazon region. This paper reviews conservation measures and plans in Amazonia and provides some recommendations for future conservation strategies.