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Amazon Basin biodiversity report highlights 2,700 fish species
A new report by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) reveals that the Amazon Basin hosts more than 2,700 recorded species of freshwater fish, representing approximately one in seven global freshwater fish species. The study, titled ‘Forgotten Fish of the Amazon’, combines scientific evidence with traditional ecological knowledge to highlight the region's role in food security, culture, and ecosystem maintenance.
Despite this biodiversity, the basin faces significant threats from climate change, specifically the potential for a ‘Super El Niño’ event, as well as deforestation, hydroelectric development, pollution, and overfishing. These factors disrupt river connectivity and degrade water quality.
Hydrological monitoring by the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB) shows that many rivers in the Amazon Basin are currently in a receding phase (vazante) due to below-average rainfall. While most river levels, including the Rio Negro in Manaus, remain within normal ranges for the period, the Rio Branco in Roraima has recorded levels below historical minimums. Efforts are underway to monitor water temperature and oxygen levels to protect aquatic life, such as pink river dolphins, from potential mass mortality during dry spells.
Entities
Amazon Basin · Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation · Fernanda Silva · Geological Survey of Brazil · The Nature Conservancy
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Amazon Basin hosts more than 2,700 freshwater fish species. ejornais.com.br · portalolm.com.br · sidneysilva.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] About two-thirds of the species in the Amazon are endemic to the region. ejornais.com.br · portalolm.com.br · sidneysilva.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] These species represent approximately 15% of all known fish species globally. ejornais.com.br · portalolm.com.br · sidneysilva.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Forgotten Fish of the Amazon report combines scientific evidence with traditional ecological knowledge. ejornais.com.br · portalolm.com.br · sidneysilva.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fish species like tambaqui, pacu, and matrinxã assist in forest maintenance by dispersing seeds. ejornais.com.br · portalolm.com.br · sidneysilva.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Amazon provides an opportunity to protect a globally important freshwater system while it is still functioning. ejornais.com.br · portalolm.com.br · sidneysilva.com.br