# Biodiversity and habitat threats in Brazil

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/biodiversity-and-habitat-threats-in-brazil
> Updated: 2026-10-31T09:45:00.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 4.

Brazil is facing significant ecological challenges regarding its marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Five coral reef ecoregions, including Atol das Rocas and Abrolhos, have been classified as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. Drivers for this degradation include marine heatwaves, ocean warming, overfishing, and pollution. At the COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Armenia, the IUCN classification highlighted five specific ecoregions in the Northeast region: Parrachos, Atol das Rocas and Fernando de Noronha, Costa dos Corais, Baía de Todos os Santos and Baixo Sul, and Abrolhos. Experts warn of a high risk of ecological collapse, noting that while these areas still host live corals, urgent conservation measures are required. Furthermore, three other ecoregions were analyzed but lacked sufficient data for formal classification, indicating a need for expanded scientific monitoring. In response, two projects supported by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) have mobilized R$ 50.87 million for coastal conservation actions. On land, data indicates increasing habitat fragmentation, particularly in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado. While the total area of fragmented native vegetation decreased between 1986 and 2024, the number of isolated fragments rose from 2.35 million to 3.41 million, hindering seed dispersal and animal movement. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has also updated its official list of threatened flora. Out of 3,730 species evaluated, 728 are now classified as critically endangered, including the Pau-brasil tree. The Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes contain the highest proportions of threatened species, at 35% and 38% respectively. Recent biological findings highlight further risks to Cerrado biodiversity. Researchers have identified three new species of annual killifish in the Paracatu region of Minas Gerais: Hypsolebias rosai, Hypsolebias baptistai, and Hypsolebias maylermartinsi.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-31: Brazil coral reefs classified as critically endangered

Five Brazilian coral reef ecoregions, including Abrolhos and Fernando de Noronha, are classified as critically endangered due to risks of ecological collapse.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-coral-reefs-classified-as-critically-endangered

### 2026-10-30: Three new fish species discovered in Brazil face extinction risk

Three new fish species discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, are already considered critically endangered due to habitat loss from soy farming and livestock expansion.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/three-new-fish-species-discovered-in-brazil-face-extinction-risk

### 2026-10-29: Brazil lists 3,730 plant species as threatened with extinction

Brazil's Ministry of Environment has updated its official list of threatened flora, identifying 3,730 species at risk, including the pau-brasil tree and various plants from the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-lists-3730-plant-species-as-threatened-with-extinction

### 2026-10-28: Brazil coral reefs and native vegetation face critical threats

Brazil faces severe biodiversity threats as five coral reef ecoregions are declared critically endangered and native vegetation fragmentation increases despite a reduction in total fragmented area.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-updates-official-list-of-endangered-flora-species

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Cite as: Biodiversity and habitat threats in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/biodiversity-and-habitat-threats-in-brazil