Aerial Photograph of the Balbina Dam (IMAGE)

University of East Anglia

Aerial Photograph of the Balbina Dam

Caption

Widely hailed as "green" sources of renewable energy, hydroelectric dams have been built worldwide at an unprecedented scale. But University of East Anglia research reveals that these major infrastructure projects are far from environmentally friendly.

A PLOS ONE study reveals the drastic effects of the major Amazonian Balbina Dam on tropical rainforest biodiversity.

It reveals a loss of mammals, birds and tortoises from the vast majority of islands formed by the creation of the Balbina Lake.

Credit

Eduardo M. Venticinque

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