Pantanal ecosystem faces threats from interconnected biome degradation

The preservation of the Pantanal, the world’s largest floodplain, is critically dependent on the health of five other biomes: the Cerrado, Amazon, and Atlantic Forest in Brazil, as well as the Chaco and Bosque Chiquitano in Bolivia and Paraguay. Environmental changes in these connected ecosystems directly impact the Pantanal’s water regimes and biodiversity.

Data from MapBiomas indicates that by 2025, the Pantanal had lost over 1 million hectares of flooded savanna compared to 1985, representing 84% of its original coverage. This loss includes 833,000 hectares converted into other types of vegetation. Local researchers and residents report that rivers are weakening, channels are failing to function, and siltation is increasing.

Broadly, climate change is intensifying extreme weather events across Brazil. In the Northeast, the Caatinga biome faces heightened vulnerability due to rising temperatures and reduced water availability. Scientific reports emphasize that these shifts threaten water and food security, agricultural production, and overall social well-being in these sensitive regions.