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2 clusters · 10 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Pantanal ecosystem degradation and water loss

Overview

Data from Mapbiomas reveals that the Pantanal has experienced a significant loss of flooded savanna, with over 1 million hectares disappearing between 1985 and 2025. This represents an 84% reduction in the vegetation present at the start of that period. Approximately 833,000 hectares of this lost area have been converted into other formations, such as grassland or savanna, which indicates the biome is drying out.

The stability of the Pantanal is tied to the health of five surrounding ecosystems: the Amazon, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest in Brazil, and the Chaco and Chiquitano Forest in Bolivia and Paraguay. Changes in these connected biomes directly impact the Pantanal’s water regimes and biodiversity.

Local observations report physical landscape changes, including the silting or disappearance of rivers and the loss of natural seasonal channels known as vazantes. While restoration efforts are being attempted in areas like the Aquidauana Indigenous Land to protect water flow, the region remains highly vulnerable to climate change and land-use shifts in neighboring biomes.

Entities

MapBiomas · Cyntia Santos · WWF-Brasil · IPCC · Claudinei Terena

Timeline

  1. 10 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Pantanal ecosystem faces threats from interconnected biome degradation

    The Pantanal's survival depends on interconnected biomes in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, as climate change and land use drive significant loss of flooded savanna and water resources.

  2. 15 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
    Pantanal loses 84% of flooded savanna over 40 years

    The Pantanal has lost 84% of its flooded savanna since 1985, with over 1 million hectares lost. Experts warn the biome is drying out and depends on the conservation of five surrounding ecosystems.

Sources

blink102.com.br · blogdovestibular.com · brasilemfolhas.com.br · cenariomt.com.br · contilnetnoticias.com.br · enfoquems.com.br · imprensapublica.com.br · noticiasustentavel.com.br · pnbonline.com.br · racismoambiental.net.br