Revealing the Amazon: Within the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Expedition

The Amazon serves as a vital resource for our planet, and Rolex, in collaboration with the National Geographic Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition, aims to reveal its mysteries.

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The Amazon, encompassing more than fifty percent of the Earth's remaining rainforest area, serves as a vast expanse of biodiversity, functioning as both the actual and metaphorical lungs of our planet. Under its expansive canopy exists a complex network of rivers, lakes, and wetlands that intertwine like dendritic blood veins over the South American continent, sustaining an ecosystem of extraordinary biodiversity. For decades, explorers, scientists, and conservationists have undertaken treks into this cryptic wilderness, yet the Amazon continues to conceal its mysteries. Given the ongoing threats of climate change, deforestation, and pollution to this crucial region, comprehending the intricate mechanisms of the Amazon has become increasingly imperative.

The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative and the National Geographic Society have collaborated in this specialized domain of exploration and conservation. The significant Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition was initiated to thoroughly investigate the Amazon's mysteries and to enhance awareness of its critical role in the Earth's ecosystem. This extensive and ambitious initiative has united scientists, adventurers, and local people for over two years with a singular objective: to study and protect the Amazon for the future of the planet and humanity.

The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative: A Heritage of Exploration

National Geographic Explorers Josh West and Jennifer Angel-Amaya examine the repercussions of human activities in the buffer zone of a national reserve in Peru. © Musuk Nolte / National Geographic

Rolex has a longstanding heritage of promoting adventure. For almost a century, the manufacturer has endorsed innovative explorers who extended the limits of human accomplishment. Today, Rolex’s dedication has transitioned from advocating exploration for discovery to safeguarding the earth. In 2019, Rolex initiated the Perpetual Planet Initiative – a campaign aimed at facilitating science-based solutions for environmental issues. This initiative originated from the backing of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and significant collaborations with Mission Blue and the National Geographic Society.

Rolex has subsequently capitalized on that accomplishment, broadening its portfolio to include over 30 partnerships with organizations addressing the most urgent global concerns, ranging from the polar oceans to the vast South American plains. It assists individuals and collectives endeavoring to ensure a sustainable future for the world. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex has endeavored to facilitate groundbreaking research while ensuring that these narratives resonate throughout global awareness. The rationale behind the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition was to undertake a bold, two-year initiative designed to enhance comprehension and protection of the Amazon's intricate ecosystems.

Revealing the Essence of the Amazon

A recent haul of arapaimas is conveyed across a floodplain in the Amazon Rainforest, adjacent to the Lago Serrado village. Arapaimas are the largest sized freshwater fish globally and face significant threats. Local community organizations have established fishing quotas along the river, resulting in a more than 600 percent rise in the arapaima population over 15 years. Copyright André Dib/National Geographic

The Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition embarked on an extraordinary adventure in the Amazon Basin from 2022 to 2024. While the majority of prior research projects concentrated on the terrestrial dimensions of the rainforest, this particular study examined its waterways: the extensive aquatic network that sustains and interconnects the forest. It aimed to address a pivotal inquiry: how are climate change, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss impacting the water system of the Amazon basin, an expanse comparable to Australia?

The mission comprised seven independent projects, each addressing various facets of the Amazon's complex ecosystems. One of the most ambitious initiatives entailed monitoring the origin of the Amazon's vital resources. Baker Perry and Tom Matthews ascended the Nevado Ausangate glacier in the Andes of Peru and established one of the world's highest meteorological stations. Situated at an elevation of about 6,000 meters above sea level, the station offers critical data on the melting patterns of this glacier, providing insights on the response of source waters to climate change in the Amazon.

Aerial perspective of ponds and sand mounds formed by anthropogenic activities in southeastern Peru. Comparable pools are present across the Amazon, serving as a definitive indication of human influence on the ecology. © Musuk Nolte/National Geographic

This trip focused on the renowned pink river dolphins downstream. Fernando Trujillo, the 2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, along with his specialist María Jimena Valderrama, conducted research on these charismatic species by measuring their populations and analyzing toxins in their blood. Their research demonstrated the relationship between aquatic species and water quality by utilizing dolphins as indicators of overall river health.

The identification of a freshwater mangrove forest by Marine Ecologist and National Geographic Explorer Angelo Bernardino was an extraordinary phenomenon in the Amazon Delta, unmatched in any scientific documentation. In collaboration with Margaret Owuor, Bernardino's research not only expanded the understanding of mangrove ecosystems but also emphasized their resilience and flexibility to environmental change. As Bernardino observed, “This collaboration between National Geographic and Rolex presents a distinctive opportunity for both research and communication.” A significant aspect of our work is conveying to others the nature of our activities.

Simultaneously, Ruthmery Pillco-Huarcaya and Andrew Whitworth commenced their research on the Andean Bear population in the cloud forests bordering the Amazon, where these bears contribute to the regeneration of a delicate ecosystem increasingly jeopardized by climate change. Their research unequivocally illustrated the intrinsic connection between the health of these forests and the behaviors and survival of this crucial species.

A separate team, directed by Thiago Silva and Julia Tavares, employed advanced light detection and ranging (LiDAR) equipment to map the seasonal wetlands of the Amazon. By analyzing the functional features of the region's trees, scientists elucidated how these forests react to environmental changes, thereby clarifying their resilience and weaknesses.

A perspective of the Japurá River floodplains. Global climate models do not depict any wetlands of this nature in the Amazon. They depict it as a vast terrestrial forest, disregarding mountains and marshes. ©Pablo Albarenga/National Geographic

Andressa Scabin and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate João Campos-Silva collaborated with local people reliant on the Amazon to safeguard six critical riverine megafauna species, including the endangered arapaima. In addition to preserving these essential species, their efforts enabled local communities to oversee and maintain these crucial resources. The outcomes have been remarkable: through community-driven initiatives, the arapaima population has surged by as much as 600 percent in certain regions over 15 years — a genuine tribute to grassroots efficacy. Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz and his associates, Jennifer Angel-Amaya and Josh West, adopted an alternative methodology by examining artificial ponds formed by anthropogenic activity. These altered landscapes possess the capacity for regeneration. Their investigation into the sustainable management of such ponds provided innovative strategies for reconciling human need with ecological restoration.

A Coalition for a Global Purpose

National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak documented all the activities. The expedition's struggles and achievements, set against the backdrop of frigid Andes peaks and humid rainforests, were vividly captured via his lens. His work elevates the Amazon into worldwide awareness. “The collaboration between National Geographic and Rolex, along with the contributions of explorers, scientists, and communities, rendered this mission feasible,” he stated.

The ramifications of this voyage extend much beyond the research alone. Rolex and National Geographic are redefining the narrative of the world's biggest rainforest by highlighting the rivers of the Amazon as a crucial component of its ecosystem. The Amazon is not only a forest—though that is significant in its own right—but also a vast and intricate aquatic network essential for the planet's health and humanity's future.

Safeguarding the Earth's Lungs

National Geographic Explorer and photojournalist Thomas Peschak at the expedition team's tent in Chiribiquete National Park, examining his photographs. © Andy Whitworth / National Geographic

The results of the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition underscore the Amazon's vital function as a global carbon sink and climate regulator. The safeguarding of it constitutes an immediate collective obligation. With the acceleration of climate change and the growing intrusion of human activities, the protection of the Amazon has transformed into both an environmental need and a moral obligation.

Rolex and National Geographic have collaboratively developed a framework for tackling significant environmental issues. Their collaboration exemplifies that innovative science, community engagement, and global narratives may effectuate significant change and cultivate a profound appreciation for the natural environment.

Although the expedition is ended, its legacy has only commenced because to the knowledge it has produced and the awareness it has fostered. The Amazon remains a site of intrigue and enigma; nonetheless, this mission brings humanity closer to comprehending its essential function in supporting life on Earth. The imperative to safeguard the Amazon is unequivocal: it is a mission for the planet and for humanity.