Sustainability issues: Riparian vegetation and its importance in the hydrological cycle in Amazonian ecosystems

Abstract

Deforestation and degradation of riparian forests have advanced significantly in the Amazon. This fact has drawn attention to its protection, especially since these forests are one of the fundamental components of the hydrogeochemical cycles and the hydrological cycle. The objective of this article is to analyze the importance of riparian vegetation in the protection of Amazonian water resources and to discuss the main changes/innovations of the New Forest Code related to PPAs. The new Brazilian Forest Code (Law 12.651, of May 25, 2012) defines the Permanent Preservation Area (PPA regions) as "protected area, covered or not by native vegetation, with the environmental function of preserving water resources, landscape, geological stability and biodiversity, as well as facilitating the gene flow of fauna and flora, protecting the soil and ensuring the well-being of human populations. "In the context of the New Forest Code, the main changes related to the Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs), as well as the fragilities and threats to its integrity, and what is being done to mitigate the loss of vegetation cover in the Amazon. © 2018 General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania.