Oil and gas projects in the Western Amazon: threats to wilderness, biodiversity, and indigenous peoples.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The western Amazon is the most biologically rich part of the Amazon basin and is home to a great diversity of indigenous ethnic groups, including some of the world's last uncontacted peoples living in voluntary isolation. Unlike the eastern Brazilian Amazon, it is still a largely intact ecosystem. Underlying this landscape are large reserves of oil and gas, many yet untapped. The growing global demand is leading to unprecedented exploration and development in the region.

Methodology/principal findings

We synthesized information from government sources to quantify the status of oil development in the western Amazon. National governments delimit specific geographic areas or "blocks" that are zoned for hydrocarbon activities, which they may lease to state and multina

SUBMITTER: Finer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2518521 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature