Protecting biodiversity in the Brazilian Pantanal

Historically, the Pantanal's preservation resulted from a favorable combination of environmental and socioeconomic factors. However, due to economic pressures, many large ranches in the Pantanal have been sold and divided into smaller, less viable properties. As a result, traditional grazing practices have become less practical and some ranchers have abandoned them. To make smaller properties economically viable, ranchers increase grazing area by clear-cutting native forests and planting exotic grasses to increase productivity during the dry season.  Environmental damage, such as erosion and degradation of water quality, and conflicts over uncontrolled burning of pasture lands are thus increasing on small, intensively used ranches, as are conflicts with wildlife. With the goal of protecting the biodiversity of the Brazilian Pantanal, WCS is working with cattle ranchers to promote changes in management practices that will reduce pressures on natural resources.

The Human Aspect

Because more than 95% of the Brazilian Pantanal consists of privately owned ranches, one of the biggest challenges is balancing economic sustainability of the land with conservation. Results from the project will demonstrate the extent of cattle-related impacts, and how it affects the biodiversity of the region.  Together with the landowners we will recommend habitat and resource restoration measures, and help traditional landowners with their cattle ranching production and their ecotourism establishments by protecting the biodiversity on their land.  The acceptance and successful implementation of our management recommendations by the landowner will be our final measurement of success.

Threats


Although the Pantanal, as a wilderness area, is considered more than 80% intact, recent development trends threaten to alter its hydrology and traditional low-impact ranching practices.  Intensive agriculture and erosion on the highlands surrounding the Pantanal, channelization of the Rio Paraguay, “modernized” ranches that are deforested and implanted with exotic pastures, pollution from agricultural runoff, mining, and urban centers, and introduction of exotic species, are all serious threats to the region.  In addition, despite important research advances in recent years, the status and ecology of many of the species and environments affected by these threats remain poorly known.

WCS Activities

In collaboration with traditional landowners, WCS is working to protect the biodiversity of the Brazilian Pantanal by promoting cattle-ranching management practices that will reduce pressures on natural resources that are driving harmful habitat conversions and declines in populations of key species. Using environmental, socioeconomic, and financial indicators, WCS will monitor the impacts of the new cattle management practices adopted by ranchers. WCS will share the financial risks of these management schemes with the ranchers, and at the same time will help to manage profits in order to improve conditions for ranch workers and ensure that measures to protect biodiversity are implemented.  WCS is working with influential regional organizations such as University for the Development of the State and region of the Pantanal (UNIDERP), to discuss and design environmental and socio-economic indicators for the ranches.

Important Activities

• Work with participating ranchers to complete an evaluation of the current state of the ranches.
• Implement management actions and conservation measures to reduce pressure on natural resources, habitat conversion, and the decline of populations of key species.
• Continue to monitor financial and socio-economic baselines, as well as landscape features, environmental characteristics, and taxa that are most effective as indicators of change related to the chosen cattle management practices.