The Cerrado, often referred to as the “birthplace of waters,” is one of the most biodiverse and ecologically significant regions in Brazil and the world. Covering over 2 million square kilometers, the Cerrado is home to an astonishing variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. This unique savanna ecosystem plays a crucial role in maintaining regional and global environmental health. The Cerrado is home to more than 12,000 plant species, nearly half of which are endemic. It also shelters a wide array of wildlife, including iconic species such as the maned wolf, jaguar, giant anteater, and the giant armadillo. Acting as a vital water reservoir, its numerous rivers and streams feed major South American river systems such as the Amazon, São Francisco, and Paraná, with its vegetation playing a crucial role in maintaining water cycles and supporting agricultural activities far beyond its borders. Furthermore, the Cerrado’s vegetation helps sequester carbon, playing a significant role in mitigating climate change and maintaining regional and global climate stability.
However, the Cerrado faces numerous threats. Agricultural expansion, primarily for soy and cattle farming, leads to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and a loss of biodiversity. Illegal logging and land clearing contribute to rapid deforestation, endangering its unique flora and fauna. Both natural and human-induced fires, exacerbated by land-use changes and climate change, pose a constant threat. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change are altering the Cerrado’s delicate balance, affecting species survival and ecosystem health.
At Pró-Onça, we are dedicated to conserving the Cerrado and its incredible biodiversity. Through habitat restoration projects, sustainable land-use practices, and community engagement, we work to safeguard this vital ecosystem. Our efforts include restoring degraded areas by replanting native vegetation and recovering the ecological functions of degraded lands, promoting sustainable agricultural practices with local communities and farmers, developing and implementing fire management strategies to prevent uncontrolled wildfires and protect vulnerable areas, and conducting extensive research to understand the impacts of climate change and other threats on the Cerrado, providing data to inform conservation strategies.
Join us in our mission to protect the Cerrado. By raising awareness, supporting sustainable practices, and participating in conservation efforts, we can ensure that this vital ecosystem continues to thrive for generations to come. Stay tuned for more updates on our work and how you can get involved in preserving the Cerrado’s unique natural heritage.
