The Cerrado, the second largest Brazilian biome, also ranks second among the most threatened when it comes to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. According to a study conducted by Mapbiomas, the Cerrado has lost 27% of its native vegetation in the last 39 years, which represents 38 million hectares deforested.
Compared to other biomes in Brazil, the Cerrado is the second most impacted in terms of land use transformation, behind only the Pampa, which lost 28% of its native vegetation in the same period.
As the most biodiverse savannah in the world, the Cerrado covers 25% of Brazilian territory, spreading across 11 states from the Northeast to the Center-West. In addition, it maintains transition areas with almost all Brazilian biomes, except the Pampas. Thanks to its unique characteristics, acquired through contact with four other ecosystems (Amazon, Pantanal, Atlantic Forest and Caatinga), the Cerrado is considered the savannah with the richest biodiversity on the planet.
Threats to the biome
In recent decades, fires have affected 88 million hectares of the Cerrado, resulting in the loss of 9.5 million hectares of vegetation. Although it is more resilient to fires, climate change and the indiscriminate use of fire are putting the integrity of its natural vegetation at risk. Vera Arruda, a researcher at Ipam, says that it is essential to implement public policies to promote awareness. It is also essential to strengthen monitoring systems and strictly enforce laws against illegal burning.
The degradation of the Cerrado directly affects the biome’s ability to store carbon, recharge water reserves and maintain the water cycle. Consequently, we have observed the drying of wetlands in the Cerrado. In addition, the expansion of agriculture into these areas threatens water supplies, which can result in water shortages for both the population and agriculture. This, in turn, also increases vulnerability to climate disasters and biodiversity loss,” warns Joaquim Raposo, a researcher at Ipam.
Of these 38 million hectares lost in 39 years, 500 thousand were wetlands, now replaced by pastures. Therefore, these areas are essential for the maintenance of water resources and are present in around 6 million hectares of the Cerrado. This is where eight of the 12 main river basins in Brazil originate.
“Cerrado, Heart of the Waters” campaign promotes the preservation of the biome
On September 11, Cerrado Day, civil society organizations joined forces to launch an awareness campaign. The Cerrados Institute, the Population and Nature Society, Ipam and WWF Brazil not only highlighted the importance of the biome, but also the challenges of its preservation.
Called “Cerrado, Coração das Águas,” the campaign features a website with detailed information about the biome, its characteristics and conservation strategies. In addition, the website shares inspiring stories of this “inverted forest.”
Source: Brazil Agency and agrolink
