News archive: Latin America
App boosts Amazon tree project
A new app will help small-scale farmers grow trees and earn a living in deforested parts of the Amazon.
Scientists identify five new plant species in Bolivia
Scientists have identified five new plant species in the Bolivian Andes.
Impact of citizen-led forensic efforts to find the “disappeared” in Latin America analysed as part of major new study
The impact of grassroots forensic practices led by families trying to find the “disappeared” in Latin America will be analysed as part of a major new study.
Brazilian Amazon released more carbon than it stored in 2010s
The Brazilian Amazon rainforest released more carbon than it stored over the last decade – with degradation a bigger cause than deforestation – according to new research.
Carbon uptake in regrowing Amazon forest threatened by climate and human disturbance
Large areas of forests regrowing in the Amazon to help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are being limited by climate and human activity.
Ancient Amazonian farmers fortified valuable land they had spent years making fertile to protect it from conflict
Ancient Amazonian communities fortified valuable land they had spent years making fertile to protect it from conflict, excavations show.
Explore Spanish and South American history and culture in new virtual film festival
People can explore the history and culture of Spain and South America as part of a new virtual film festival.
Newly discovered ancient villages laid out like a clock face are further proof of human impact on the Amazon
Ancient Amazonian villages laid out like a clock face have been discovered by experts, thanks to technology that allows them to see below the rainforest canopy.
Newly discovered Amazon rock art show the rainforest’s earliest inhabitants living with giant Ice Age animals
Amazonian rock art newly discovered by researchers provides further proof the rainforest’s earliest inhabitants lived alongside now-extinct giant Ice Age animals.
Pacific project will build a circular economy to target plastic pollution
Scientists aim to tackle plastic pollution in the Galapagos Islands and wider Eastern Pacific in a major project based on cooperation with local researchers and communities.
Scientists unravel how and why Amazon trees die
A huge new study has unravelled what factors control tree mortality rates in Amazon forests and helps to explain why tree mortality is increasing across the Amazon basin.
Galapagos guides to 'barcode' wildlife
Galapagos tourist guides are being retrained to catalogue the islands' famous biodiversity.
Small trees offer hope for rainforests
Small trees that grow up in drought conditions could form the basis of more drought-resistant rainforests, new research suggests.
Earliest humans stayed at the Americas ‘oldest hotel’ in Mexican cave
A cave in a remote part of Mexico was visited by humans around 30,000 years ago – 15,000 years earlier than people were previously thought to have reached the Americas.
New soap opera, comic and apps being used to tackle kidnappings in Mexico
A new soap opera, comic and app are the latest weapons being used to tackle the epidemic of kidnappings in Mexico.
Palm trees most abundant in tropical forests in the Americas
Palm trees are more than five times more numerous in tropical forests in the Americas than in comparable Asian and African forests, a new study shows.
‘Gatekeepers’ of biodiversity hotspots facing COVID crisis
Impoverished communities and diverse ecosystems in Colombia are under threat due to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers say.
Innovation by ancient farmers adds to biodiversity of the Amazon, study shows
Innovation by ancient farmers to improve soil fertility continues to have an impact on the biodiversity of the Amazon, a major new study shows.
“Unparalleled” discovery of ancient skeletons sheds light on mystery of when people started eating maize
The “unparalleled” discovery of remarkably well-preserved ancient skeletons in Central American rock shelters has shed new light on when maize became a key part of people’s diet on the continent.
Young Venezuelans distrust all politicians and mourn lost childhood, study shows
Young Venezuelans distrust politicians of all parties and are doubtful anyone can improve their daily lives or give them more opportunities, a new study shows.
Take a tour of Exeter in Brazilian Portuguese
Gregor Fuller is studying Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Exeter and is part of an exciting new programme in Luso-Afro-Brazilian Studies.
‘Uplifting’ project nourishing Amazon people and soil
Thousands of trees have been planted in former rainforest land in the Amazon, nourishing the soil and providing impoverished Brazilians with food and increased incomes.
Earliest humans in the Amazon created thousands of “forest islands” as they tamed wild plants for food, study shows
The earliest human inhabitants of the Amazon created thousands of artificial forest islands as they tamed wild plants to grow food, a new study shows.
South American volcano shows potential signs of instability, research shows
One of South America’s most prominent volcanoes is producing early signals of potential instability, new research has shown.
Ancient stone tools found in remote rock shelter reveal vital clues about life in ancient Central America
Ancient stone tools found in remote rock shelters have revealed new clues about life in ancient Central America.
Climate change had significant impact on Amazon communities before arrival of Europeans, study shows
Climate change had a significant impact on people living in the Amazon rainforest before the arrival of Europeans and the loss of many indigenous groups, a new study shows.
Major new study will rewrite history of human colonisation of South America
A major new study will uncover the secrets of how humans colonised one of the most challenging landscapes on earth - and the legacy of their actions on today’s plants and wildlife.