The Pantanal
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The Pantanal is the worlds largest wetland, that spreads from North-West Brazil into Bolivia. It touches Paraguay in the upper North-East. It comprises an extraordinary concentration of flora and fauna resulting in an area of huge biodiversity.
The Pantanal is a freshwater wetland comprising 195.000 square kilometres. Being a ‘landlocked’ wetland, it receives the runoff water from the Planalto highlands, and slowly releases this water through the Paraguay river in the Pantanal. The Pantanal water levels rise alongside with the rain season. Accordingly, between December and May, the water level may rise as much as three metres, flooding and nourishing the surrounding area.
The special ecosystem of the Pantanal with its changing water levels is very biodiverse, in hosting 3,500 species of plants, as well as over 650 birds, 400 species of fish, around 100 species of mammals, and 80 species of reptiles, including the caiman, a species closely related to the alligator, of which there are an estimated 10 million. The Pantanal is a natural home for the Hyacinth Macaw, vulnerable for poaching. Other threatened species that are unique for the area include the Jaguar, Caiman, Maned Wolf, Bush Dog, Giant Otter, Giant Armadillo, Capybara, Jabiru and Brazilian Tapir.
Humans also have taken advantage to the seasonal flooding and nourishment of the land in exploiting it for agriculture, in particular to breed cattle, and for industrial development. Uncontrolled tourism, deforestation and forest fires pose threats to the natural system and its species.
Guyra Paraguay
PARAGUAY - The non-governmental organization Guyra Paraguays mission is to lead, promote and coordinate progress towards the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, with a special focus on birds, through advocacy, research, public awareness and active community participation. We aim ...
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