Of Large areas of Brazil, including the Amazon and the Pantanal, have suffered devastating fires this year. In August 2024, the number of fires has doubled compared to the previous year. Thus, uncontrollable flames have eaten away areas precious for biodiversity.
The phenomenon worsens with the drought and certain agricultural practicesand the situation repeats itself every year at different levels of intensity.
Deforestation remains a major problem, especially in Closedwhere forest areas are destroyed for agriculture and intensive livestock farming.
In fact, the climate change further exacerbates these fires. Therefore, if the trend continues, the Amazon could suffer irreversible changes (and Amazonian point of no return), affecting biodiversity and its role as a carbon absorber.
Faced with extreme drought, Brazil is plagued by fires that threaten biodiversity
Brazil’s ecosystems in danger: uncontrollable fires that threaten biodiversity and the climate
This summer, the fire season intensified in Brazil, leading to massive destruction in the Amazon, Pantanal and Cerrado. The country, which holds approximately 12% of global fresh water reservessees its ecosystems prey to flames, a situation with dramatic consequences for biodiversity and climate balance.
The Amazon in crisis: extreme drought and fires 2024
It is a bitter observation, the year 2024 was a disaster for the Amazon. Devastating fires and intense drought have triggered an unprecedented ecological crisis.
Thus, in August alone, the authorities recorded more than 28,000 fire outbreaksan increase of 83% compared to the same period in 2023. This is a total of 53,000 fires that have been recorded since January.
This figure is the highest ever recorded since 2010, according to the National Institute of Space Research of Brazil (INPE)!
The fires, concentrated mainly in the Brazilian states of Pará, Amazonas and Mato Grosso, generatedHuge plumes of smoke. However, these clouds, transported by air currents called “flying rivers”, spread the smoke to several states of Brazil, covering a vast area of the continent.
In fact, entire cities, from São Paulo to Buenos Aires, have seen their sky obscured by smoke. A worrying phenomenon due to its potential impact on human health and the environment!
Several factors contribute to this disaster: natural phenomena such as The Childwhich accentuate drought, combine with the global effects of global warming and rampant deforestation which has already destroyed 18% of the Amazon forest.
This uncontrolled felling of the forest reduces its capacity to produce humidity, essential for the regeneration of the ecosystem.
A cycle of destruction favored by man and exacerbated by the climate
Fires in this part of Latin America often have human origins. Who are these lands are deliberately burned for agriculturein a context of deforestation. But increasingly dry vegetation, due to prolonged periods of drought, amplifies the spread of flames.
Indeed, according to recent studies, this situation risks recurring and even getting worse as global warming intensifies arid periods.
This link between fires and climate is all the more worrying since reducing deforestation is no longer enough to prevent these fires, which even affect intact areas of primary forest.
The Cerrado and Amazon ecosystems particularly vulnerable
The Cerrado savannah continues to lose its forest cover toexpansion of soybean crops. As for the Amazon, even if the rate of deforestation has slowed, it remains threatened by fires, which devour trees, vegetation and animals.
Scientists have found that forests that burned 30 years ago still have a ccapacity reduced by 25% carbon storage compared to intact forests.
Worrying prospects for the South American region
The natural air conditioner that is the Amazon could undergo a radical transformation if current trends continue. Did you know that unlike boreal forests, the Amazon has not evolved to resist fires? Indeed, its Trees with thin bark are particularly vulnerable to flames.
Fires promote proliferation of less robust speciescapable of growing rapidly, but which store much less carbon than majestic tropical trees.
Therefore, if the world continues on its current warming trajectory, even more intense droughts are to be feared. According to the Brazilian Minister of the Environment, the Pantanal could disappear by the end of the century if nothing is done to stem the rise in temperatures.
Human and environmental consequences: multi-sectoral impact
Of course, this situation impacts not only the environment but also the health of populations. Indeed, large Brazilian cities have suffered unbreathable smogendangering the health of residents exposed to air laden with toxic particles.
In response, the Brazilian government has released more than 11 million to manage this crisis, focusing its efforts on the most affected municipalities.
Different Brazilian ecosystems, such as the Pantanal and the Cerrado, suffer dramatic consequences.
The Pantanal, famous for its biodiversity, saw a 3,707% increase in fires compared to 2023.
As for the Cerrado, the second largest Brazilian biome, it is threatened by a increased deforestation due to agricultural expansion, which also increases forest fires.
Fires ravage the Pantanal, the largest tropical swamp in the world
In June 2024, the Brazilian Pantanal, recognized as the largest tropical swamp in the worldwas hit by devastating fires of unprecedented intensity for this time of year.
The flames transformed the landscape into a carpet of ash and smoke, revealing charred remains of wild animalssuch as caimans, monkeys and snakes, in the Corumbá region, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.
Pantanal, ecological jewel of Brazil
The National Institute of Space Research (INPE) of Brazil has identified 733 fires in the Pantanal since the beginning of June. It broke the sad record of 435 fires for the same month in 2005.
This alarming increase in fires, coupled with high temperatures expected to exceed the seasonal average by 5ºC, has led the Brazilian Meteorological Service to issue a “danger” alert for the region.
Pantanal, ecological treasure of global importance victim of fires
The Pantanal plays a crucial ecological role not only for Brazil but for the entire planet. This vast tropical marsh regulates water flows in the region, acting like a giant sponge that absorbs excess water during the rainy season, reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas, and releasing this water in the dry season , thus supporting local ecosystems.
As more the planet’s largest tropical carbon sinkthe Pantanal captures enormous quantities of carbon dioxide, actively contributing to the fight against global warming. Furthermore, its biodiversity is also exceptional. This wetland is home to more than 4,700 plant and animal species, many of which are endemic and threatened.
Ce unique biotope forms an essential link in the chain ecological, influencing the climate, wildlife and water resources of all South America.
Or, sa destruction progressive would endanger not only these ecosystems but also local human communities, as well as the global climate. The facts unfolding before our not always attentive eyes underline the urgency of preserving this exceptional natural space.
What are the solutions to limit the damage from fires in the Amazon and the Pantanal?
To counter this ecological crisis, several solutions will have to be imposed in an urgent and coordinated manner. First, strengthen local fire brigades and training specialized teams would make it possible to respond more effectively to fires.
At the same time, it is essential to raise awareness among native communities and integrate them into preventive fire management.
In the long term, the Reducing illegal deforestation and restoring degraded ecosystems would help reduce the risk of new fires.
In addition, adopt sustainable agricultural practices could limit the use of fire for clearing, thus preserving natural habitats.
Finally, a stricter climate policy, associated with reforestation efforts and protection of natural reserves, would strengthen the resilience of these regions in the face of climate change.
