TROPICAL RAINFORESTS: The Liquid Forest

Vàrzea vs Igapò forest



There are two main forms of forest associated with different water types in the Amazon basin

Igapò: Also known as swamp forest, igapò is forest that is flooded by typically blackwater rivers for extended periods (4-10 months).

Vàrzea: Sometimes known as flooded forest, vàrzea covers at least 60,000 square miles (154,400 sq. km) of the Amazon. This forest is flooded seasonally by whitewater rivers and has richer soils than igapò and correspondingly, is good for agriculture.


Continued: People of the rainforest

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