Serra do Aracá expedition aims to map Amazonian biodiversity

A team of 16 Brazilian researchers has launched a scientific expedition to the Serra do Aracá in northern Amazonas, near the Venezuelan border, to map the biodiversity of its unique ecosystems. The mission targets mountains known as tepuis, which feature flat plateaus at altitudes between 1,300 and 1,700 meters. These high-altitude environments possess distinct climatic conditions compared to the surrounding lowland rainforest.

This expedition marks the third and final stage of a biodiversity mapping project for the Brazilian Amazon highlands. The initiative is funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and supported by the Brazilian Army, which provides helicopter transport from a base in Barcelos.

Researchers intend to use environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to identify species through biological material found in soil and water, a method that has previously helped discover previously unknown species. The study area is located within the Serra do Aracá State Park, a conservation unit covering 1.8 million hectares.