Dam's could permanently damage amazon

The Amazon basin could suffer significant and
irreversible damage if an extensive dam building
programme goes ahead, scientists say.
Currently, 428 hydroelectric dams are planned,
with 140 already built or under construction.
Researchers warn that this could affect the
dynamics of the complex river system and put
thousands of unique species at risk.
The study is published in the journal Nature .
"The world is going to lose the most diverse
wetland on the planet," said lead author Prof
Edgargo Latrubesse, from the University of
Texas at Austin, US .
Cascading problems
The Amazon basin covers more than 6.1 million
sq km, and is the largest and most complex river
system on the planet.
It has become a key area for hydroelectric dam
construction.
But this study suggests that the push for
renewable energy along the Amazon's waterways
could lead to profound problems.
The international team of researchers who
carried out the research is particularly
concerned about any disruption to the natural
movement of sediment in the rivers.
This sediment provides a vital source of nutrients
for wildlife in the Amazon's wetlands. It also
affects the way the waterways meander and
flow.
“[The sediment is] how the rivers work, how they
move, how they regenerate new land, and how
they keep refreshing the ecosystems," said Prof
Latrubesse.
The Texas researcher said that at present
environmental assessments were being carried
out for each dam in isolation, looking at their
impact on the local area. But he argued a wider
approach was needed for the Amazon.
"The problem is nobody is assessing the whole
package: the cascade of effects the dams
produce on the whole system."
The researchers have highlighted the Madeira,
Maranon and Ucayali rivers - all tributaries of the
Amazon River - as areas of great concern.
These rivers are home to many unique species,
and the scientists say these would be under
threat if even a fraction of the planned dams go
ahead.
Prof Latrubesse said: “All of these rivers hold
huge diversity, with many species that are
endemic.
“Thousands of species could be affected, maybe
even go extinct.“
The researchers warn that any damage could be
irreversible, and they say any risks must be
considered before the dams are allowed to go
ahead.

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