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(CNN Spanish) - In the midst of the destruction of the massive fires in the Brazilian Amazon, this could be good news.
During an expedition conducted by researchers from Brazilian and British institutes in Amapá, north of the country far from the fires, a giant tree sanctuary was discovered, as reported by the state government on its website.
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It is a place where there are trees of the species Dinizia excelsa, which according to the government of the State of Amapá is commonly known as Angelim Vermelho.
Trees of this type usually reach 60 meters high, explained Eric Bastos, a researcher on the expedition, but in this sanctuary they found taller trees.
This is what a gigantic tree they found in a sanctuary in the Amazon looks like. (Photo: Rafael Aleixo / Government of the state of Amapá)
Using an airborne remote sensor they detected these unusual measures and organized the expedition to check it.
In the place they found a tree that is about 88 meters high and 5.5 meters in circumference.
“The discovery of giant trees in the region was made by a group of researchers from the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and the Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM) in Minas Gerais, coordinated by Professor Eric Bastos Gorgens, in collaboration with researchers from the British universities of Cambridge and Swansea, ”reports the Government of Amapá.
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According to Professor Bastos, they were surprised by the height of these trees. "We have a great discovery here and now a commitment to preserve the largest trees in the Amazon," he said.
The expedition began on August 13 and traveled 220 kilometers by river and then, with the help of the indigenous community of Iratapuru, move forward between the “dense and closed forest”. The largest tree is 10 kilometers in the forest, intact.
The number of regions affected by the Amazon fires has been reduced, he said last week in a press release from the Brazilian Ministry of Defense.
According to figures from the Ministry, currently “there are more than 6,200 members involved in Operation Green Brazil, 155 vehicles, 18 planes and 8 vessels. This Tuesday, two Chilean civil aircraft, Air Tractor 802 model, arrived at the Serra do Cachimbo to help with military actions. The model is designed for fire use with a capacity to discharge up to 3,000 liters of water and 4,000 pounds of cargo. Two more are heading to the country. ”
Forest fires
