To save the Amazon, we must protect the water and the trees, scientists say

By The Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff on 01.11.16

How are waterways being threatened? What are the effects on the waterway?

Waterways in the Amazon are being threatened by deforestation, mining, and pollution. These activities are causing disruptions to the natural flow of water, leading to an increase in erosion, sedimentation, and changes in the water quality. This, in turn, is affecting the ecosystem and the wildlife that depend on the waterways for survival. Protection of the waterways is essential to preserving the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity.