About rainforests

Tropical rainforests lie between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer -- forming a green belt around the earth. This green belt has evolved over millions of years into the world's most biologically rich eco-system, containing over half of the world's species of plants and animals. Just three countries -- Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo -- contain almost half of the world's tropical rainforests. 

The rainforests are a precious resource for us all -- providing a vital ecosystem for the whole world. The rich bio-diversity means the forests contain potential medicines that could cure many of the worlds diseases. Most importantly, however, the rainforests operate as giant lungs, absorbing a fifth of the world's man-made CO2 emissions every year.  These rainforest lungs are the world's protection against global warming.

On top of this, deforestation actually causes global warming. Tropical deforestation accounts for 17% of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Geography

The STARO project covers approximately 500 square kilometres in an area of the Amazon that can only be accessed by river. The project is in the Mid Negro River region that includes three tributaries -- the Jufari, Demeni, and Padauiri. All properties are registered at the municipalities of Caracaraí (RR) and Barcelos (AM).

The climate is hot and steamy, with annual temperatures ranging from 26.5°C to a low of 18°C. Rain fall is as high as 2650 mm, which often causes the rivers to overflow. 

Biology

From the anaconda and the piranha to the jaguar and the tapir, tens of thousands of species depends on the Amazon for food, for shelter and for survival. As the rainforest disappears, each animal, insect, bird, and plant that depends on the Amazon ecosystem will die with it. 

A useful link ifor more detailed information can be found at www.mongabay.com/brazilamazonwildlife.htm

or if you are looking for animal photos or info google 'Amazon rainforest animals'

The area presents a very interesting combination of large dense forests on firm ground, large brazil-nut tree areas, igapó bush, extensions of inundated lands, buriti and capinarana trees. The land is watered by "black water" rivers as well as by "white water" rivers, such as the Demeni River -- and these different habitats create an exceptional biological diversity.

Dense tropical forests represent nearly 80% of the area, including many luxuriant tree species such as the brazil-nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa), angelim-pedra (Dinizia excelsa), guariúba (Clarisia racemosa), sucupira (Diplotropis sp.), pau-d’arco (Tabebuia spp.), matamatá (Eschweilera sp.), rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), itaúba (Mezilaurus itauba), and acariquara (Minquartia guianensis).

In open-type tropical forests palm species such as buriti (Mauritia spp.), açaí (Euterpeoleracea), bacaba (Oenocarpus spp.), and patauá (Jessenia bataua) are found. 

Capinaranas are vegetal formations restricted to Negro River basin, and are also called caatingas of Negro River.

Fauna

Although the animals are well hidden in the forest, the Fauna of the region is also characterised by very high diversity. In the region of Mid-Negro River, close to 120 mammalian species, 500 bird species, 120 reptile species, 300 fish species, hundreds of amphibians and thousands of invertebrate species can be found.

Demography

Settlements are only found in the community of Caicubi (RR), at the borders of the creek (igarapé) of same name, joining to the Jufari River. The 500 inhabitants of this community subsist mainly from fishing and small-scale agriculture and the trade of nuts and ornamental fish. The community has a first-grade school, a medical station and a central power generator.

The community is politically related to the municipality of Caracaraí, State of Roraima, Brazil.