Saving South America's Pantanal
Climate Change and Development Harm Globally Important Wetlands
Aug 5, 2008
Lessons learned in countries where wetlands have been drained for flood control, as has happened to the USA's Florida Everglades, can be used to wisely manage one of the world's largest wetlands that still has immense biodiversity, the Pantanal of South America
What is The Pantanal?
The Pantanal is actually largely a seasonal wetland. The area boasts lakes, lagoons, rivers and forests, much of which becomes a shallow lake in the rainy season. It is home to numerous species of birds, mammals, fish and butterflies.
The Pantanal wetlands are shared by Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. In Brazil a 135,000 hectare National Park and the Reserva Particular do Patrimonio Natural, a 87,870 privately owned reserve, attempt to protect the incredible biodiversity of the area. In Bolivia, the Pantanal Bolviano is a 3,189,800 hectare national park. These areas are all designated Ramsar wetlands.
In Paraguay, although not designated as a Ramsar site, the Chaco-Pantanal Reserve, supported by the World Land Trust, ensures that these adjacent lands are saved from development.
Climate Change and Development Threaten the Pantanal
As temperatures rise, evaporation increases leading to concerns that as much as 85% of the world’s wetland could be eliminated by an increase in average temperature of 3-4ºC. When wetlands evaporate, stores of carbon from decaying plants are released into the atmosphere.
As with many endangered habitats, the Pantanal is being pressured by the encroachment of agri-business, which is replacing small, sustainable local farms, contributing to soil and water pollution. Human development is putting pressure on to drain and reroute water in the Pantanal for roads and other infrastructure needs.
The Cost of Repairing the Everglades
In the Florida Everglades National Park and its surroundings work is beginning on attempts to restore this vital wetland. The Everglades is also a Ramsar wetland of international importance but it is severely degraded as human development has resulted in much of it being drained. And what is left of the original wetlands suffers from pollution from agricultural runoff. These efforts will cost the United States some $700 million but will not necessarily restore the biodiversity that has been lost.
Preventing Similar Damage to the Pantanal
When the Florida Everglades were being drained the role of wetlands in flood control was not well understood. Since then much has been learned about their value, both as wildlife habitat and as protection for humans against disastrous flooding. Today there is much more information on how wetlands contribute to the health of the planet. This information can be used to stop the Pantanal from becoming the next Everglades.
The International Association for Ecology's 8th International Wetlands Conference was held on the outskirts of the Pantanal to bring the spotlight onto critical wetland issues. By controlling growth within and around the Pantanal and encouraging wise use, local impacts on this critical wetland can be reduced. The effects of climate change will not be so easy to manage but healthy wetlands will be critical in mitigating it impact.
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