Article rewritten by John Smith
“The Cerrado, known for its resilience in surviving harsh conditions and wildfires, has been unable to withstand the destructive actions of humans. It is a testament to the strength of this ecosystem that it continues to rise from its ashes like a phoenix.”
Aziz Ab’Saber,2003 (translated)
The Cerrado,often overshadowed by the Amazon,holds the title of being the second-largest Ecodomain in South America. Despite covering 24% of Brazil’s territory and playing a crucial role in sustaining major watersheds, it has not received enough attention in global conservation discussions.
A recent review article, published in Nature Conservation, highlights that this biodiversity hotspot is currently facing an extensive ecological crisis. Despite its significance, more then half of its native vegetation has been converted into other land uses, totaling over 1 million square kilometers within just five decades.
Even though recent data suggests a slight decrease in annual deforestation rates, the overall loss continues to rise. This makes the cerrado Ecodomain stand out as having experienced the most significant loss of native vegetation among all Brazilian ecodomes.
This expansion is primarily driven by agricultural and urban growth, mining, and land speculation. As a result, the landscape has become increasingly fragmented and ecologically compromised.
rnrnThe Unique Inverted Forest and its Hidden Carbon Reserves
The Cerrado is a truly remarkable place, with one of its most distinctive features being the “inverted forest”. Unlike other tropical rainforests that store their biomass in tall canopies, the Cerrado has adapted to survive by storing approximately 90% of its carbon belowground through extensive root systems. This underground network not only makes the ecodomain a crucial carbon sink, but also plays a vital role in regulating water levels.
However, restoration efforts that focus solely on planting exotic trees in naturally open areas can actually worsen this issue. It is crucial for restoration strategies to prioritize ecological functionality and native seed banks over simple afforestation.
The Importance of Ecosystem Diversity and Conservation
The inverted forest is not just made up of vast tropical savannas in Cerrado. It also includes a complex mosaic of grasslands, savannas, and forests – each with their own unique structures and ecological processes. Treating the region as a homogeneous entity can lead to ineffective conservation policies.
Such as, natural grasslands in the montane Campos Rupestres are limited in area, but have high levels of endemism and face significant pressures from mining, biological invasions, and increased fire.Savannas, on the other hand, have been widely converted into monocultures and exotic pastures, compromising their ecological integrity.
while some species in the Cerrado have adapted to natural fire regimes, many ecosystems – such as forests and marshland formations like Veredas and montane Campos rupestres – are highly vulnerable. Invasive species and increased frequency of fires can cause ecological losses even without direct deforestation. It is indeed crucial to note that nearly all fires in the Cerrado are human-induced and occur outside of natural regimes.
The Threat of Silent Extinctions
Our research has revealed a concerning trend of “silent extinctions” across the Cerrado. While this Ecodomain is home to thousands of unique plants and animals, there is a significant gap in how these species are monitored. Plants and invertebrates are particularly threatened yet understudied. This means that many species might potentially be disappearing before they can even be scientifically documented.
To prevent further loss of biodiversity in the region, we must expand our conservation criteria to protect not just individual species, but also the complex ecological interactions that sustain the Cerrado’s water and soil. Current policies are failing because they rely on incomplete data – we cannot protect what we have not yet cataloged.
https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.61.168273.suppl1). However, data alone is not enough to solve this crisis.
The Brazilian Forest Code,specifically the 20% Reserva Legal (RL) and narrow 30-meter Áreas de Preservação Permanent (apps),are ecologically insufficient as they leave vital formations such as Veredas and Campos Rupestres isolated and vulnerable fragments.
To prevent ecosystem collapse and secure Brazil’s water supply, we advocate for urgent reforms including increasing RL requirements to at least 35%, expanding protection zones to reflect biological reality, and enforcing strict traceability to decouple agricultural production from habitat loss.
Moreover, it is indeed crucial to recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Cerrado region whose traditional knowledge and sustainable land management practices have maintained the ecosystem’s balance for thousands of years.Recent laws such as Marco Temporal and agribusiness proposals threaten to reduce their territories which could accelerate biodiversity loss in the region. Thus, it is indeed imperative that these lands are protected and fully recognized to conserve the Cerrado’s ecological resilience.
In addition to these measures, mobilizing knowledge about sustainable land management practices can add value to resources in the Cerrado region while promoting conservation efforts. By implementing these changes urgently, we can work towards preserving this unique Ecodomain for future generations.
Conservation Efforts in the Cerrado: Protecting Brazil’s biodiversity hotspot
The Cerrado, a vast savanna region in brazil, is home to an astonishing array of plant and animal species. However,this unique ecosystem is facing numerous threats due to human activities such as deforestation and unsustainable land use practices. In order to effectively protect the Cerrado’s biodiversity, it is crucial to recognize its importance as a hotspot for biodiversity and implement dedicated legal instruments.
In the past, the focus has been on extracting resources from the Cerrado without considering its ecological value. This extractive logic must be replaced with regenerative systems that prioritize conservation, restoration, and sustainable economic alternatives. One such option is agroforestry, which combines agriculture with tree planting to promote biodiversity while also providing economic benefits.
Another important measure is payments for ecosystem services (PES), where landowners are compensated for conserving their land or implementing sustainable practices that benefit the habitat. The ICMS Ecológico, a fiscal incentive program in Brazil that rewards municipalities for preserving natural areas within their boundaries, can also play a significant role in promoting conservation efforts in the Cerrado.
Along with these measures, it is essential to recognize and promote social justice within conservation efforts. this includes involving local communities in decision-making processes and ensuring fair compensation for any potential loss of livelihoods due to conservation initiatives.
To further support conservation efforts in the Cerrado, there should also be an emphasis on sustainable certifications that recognize the region’s biodiversity as a valuable economic asset. These certifications can incentivize businesses and consumers alike to support environmentally-friendly practices within this hotspot.
New Perspectives on Conservation
In 2026, Pereira et al.’s publication “The Cerrado crisis review” highlighted the urgent need for action to protect the Cerrado’s biodiversity. However, it is important to continuously reassess and adapt conservation strategies as new information and perspectives emerge.
As an example, incorporating current statistics on deforestation rates and species loss can help inform more targeted conservation efforts. Additionally, replacing outdated examples or analogies with new ones can provide a fresh outlook on the issue at hand.
Conclusion
The Cerrado is a crucial hotspot for biodiversity in Brazil that requires dedicated legal instruments and sustainable economic alternatives to effectively protect its ecological heterogeneity.By recognizing its value and implementing measures such as agroforestry, PES, fiscal incentives, and sustainable certifications, we can promote conservation while also supporting social justice and economic development in this region.
References:
Pereira, C.C., Walisson Kenedy-Siqueira, Maia L.R., da V., Arantes-garcia L., Fernandes S., França G., Carvalho G., Rodrigues J.,Salm R. & Fearnside P.M. (2026). The Cerrado crisis review: highlighting threats and providing future pathways to save Brazil’s biodiversity hotspot. Nature Conservation 61: 29-70.doi: https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.61
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168273
This is devastating news for biodiversity and habitat conservation efforts.