Did the Amazon originate from black soil?
Hemal Sendanayake - Physicist
The largest forest in the world
What do you think if it says that the largest forest in the world originated due to a type of soil formed as a result of activities done by a group of humans? It is true. Hundreds of years ago, there was no such thing as a large Amazon forest, but then it was grassland, which was not such a fertile land. According to the data available from the scientists, lakhs of people had lived in the river valley, making habitats on this land. Because of their efforts, this land has become fertile and about 83 plant species existing in the land were introduced by the first inhabitants of the area thousands of years ago.
Terra Preta
Scientists have discovered that a certain soil type relevant to the habitats in that area is the resultant cause for converting this unfertile land into a fertile area. There is black soil underneath the soil in the vicinity of the habitats where these people lived. This soil is known as Terra Preta, which means black soil. Scientists have confirmed that these soils are naturally formed as a result of the activities done by these ancient people interacting with the earth and due to their feces. The cultivations they did in this fertile soil are the original source of this massive forest after many centuries.
European influx
The reason for the disappearance of these wonderful people and their civilization is the European invasion of this region. Since these people had no immunity against the diseases spread by the European nation, their existence ended. Their remnants are still living in the Amazon forest as Amazon tribes, even after five centuries. Today’s Amazon forest has emerged as a result of the devastation of Amazon civilization and due to the existence of this fertile soil. This process has been accelerated over the past five centuries. At present, there is a business of mining this Terra Preta soil and selling it as fertilizer.
