The Amazon Basin is over 1 million square kilometers large. The Amazon River floodplains, and its whitewater tributaries, the várzea, occupy just 2% of the total basin. In Brazil, várzea is the term given to land that is seasonally flooded by whitewater rivers (in the Amazon, a whitewater river is one that carries suspended organic and inorganic sediment, and has an ochre color - essentially a very dirty river).
Despite only occupying 2% of the basin, the role of the floodplains are immensely important. Várzea tend to be very high in biological productivity. They have a large diversity of environments, ecosystems, and species, usually packed into a small area. Várzea are crucial habitats for the reproduction of many species. Many of these species are very unique, and many are severely threatened.
For centuries, várzea have been used for resource extraction, agriculture, and settlement. The várzea are very desirable for these uses, and the risk of overexploitation is high. Scientific exploration and research of várzea is very recent, and there is still a lot to be learned. Conservation efforts must be made, so that we can continue to learn about these ecosystems.
There are many várzea in Brazil. These include Monte Alegre (pictured above), Gurupa, Iquitos, Marajó, and Purus. This website will discuss the Amazon floodplain as a whole, and will provide details pertaining to the individual várzea.
Gurupa - 3,800 square miles
Iquitos - 44,400 sq. mi.
Marajó - 34,200 sq. mi.
Monte Alegre - 25,800 sq. mi.
Purus - 68,500 sq. mi.