Why the ancient shihuahuaco tree sprouts hope for the planet

As the largest rainforest on Earth, the Amazon is rich in plant species. But one type of tree towers over the landscape – the shihuahuaco. These giants are a haven for the diverse life that wanders the region. However, the ancient beings are in imminent danger.

The shihuahuaco is one of the tallest and oldest species rooted in the Amazon. It takes 1 000 years to grow from seed to a fully-flourishing plant. Soaring at 60 metres, they’re known as ‘emergent trees’ as their highest branches reach the very top layer of the forest. It sustains myriad fauna and flora. Flowers blossom on its upper canopy, while animals galore take refuge in its lower structures. Creatures such as eagles, bats, monkeys, macaws, and southern red Amazon squirrels venture through the branches. The tree creates an interconnected web of support for these species – much like the roots that snake through the soil below. 

This awe-inspiring tree provides not only for the animals in its environment, but the planet as a whole. Being one of the tallest trees in the Amazon, the shihuahuaco bears the brunt of harsh weather conditions, cushioning the ground below from the worst of the effects. They also play a pivotal role in climate stability, absorbing and storing up to 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide. 

But people are felling them at a disastrous pace. Between 2008 and 2018, about 74 trees were chopped down every single day to be used as building materials. Due to the tree’s slow-growing rate, they’re at a much greater risk of extinction. If deforestation continues, it’s estimated that the species could be wiped out within a matter of years. 

However, there’s still hope. While many trees have been uprooted, awareness of their plight is growing. Arbio Peru, a non-profit organisation, is conserving the species by  conducting research and battling illegal loggers. A vital tree of life, the shihuahuaco deserves our utmost respect.

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