Biodiversity

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the collection of all living species that exist in the biosphere, i.e. in the zone of the planet where there is life. Researchers estimate that there are from 10 to 50 million varieties of plants, animals and microorganisms in the world, and until now only 1.5 million have been classified and designated. Brazil is considered to be the country with the greatest biodiversity on the planet, with approximately 13% of all known species in its territory.

Threats to biodiversity

In the past, biological and environmental factors – natural causes – were responsible for the extinction of certain species. These include volcanic eruptions, climate changes and competition among animals. The human species, throughout its development, has affected the ecosystem and has become the main threat to other living beings that inhabit the planet.

Among the major areas of impact by the human species are:

• • Destruction and fragmentation of habitats, such as deforestation, desertification, forest burning, mining, water dams, erosion and sedimentation, urbanization and transport routes;

• • Introduction of exotic species and diseases (in agriculture, livestock, fish farming and urbanization);

• • Exploitation of species of plants and animals (vegetal extraction, firewood and charcoal, selective logging, hunting and fishing);

• • Contamination of soil, water and atmosphere (toxic gases, particles in the air, pesticides and fertilizers, salinity, toxic waste, toxic waste in water, excess nutrients in water).

Among the indirect economic and social factors are:

• • Accelerated growth of human populations, including increased deforestation and the trade of  endangered species;

• • Unequal distribution of property and of the generation and flow of benefits from the use and conservation of biodiversity;

• • Systems and economic policies that do not care about environment and natural resources;

• • Legal and institutional systems that promote unsustainable exploitation of natural resources;

• • Lack of knowledge and methods to contain threats to biodiversity.

Brazil

The Brazilian Constitution of 1988 regards the environment as a strategic factor for policy-making, acknowledging the link between social and economic development and nature conservation. Over time, this change of viewpoint was also adopted by the regional states and cities, which began to share the responsibility for implementing environmental policies with the federal government.

By hosting the UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio-92, and through the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Brazil has strengthened its commitment to protect its biodiversity.

The Ministry of Environment (MMA) has actively participated in this undertaking. Data on the biology, taxonomy, and the status of distribution and conservation of species are fundamental for environmental agencies, for NGOs working on the protection of environment, and for the academic and scientific communities involved in environmental preservation.

To increase access to this information, the MMA has selected and financially supported scientific research for the preparation and implementation of management plans for endangered species. Once implemented, research results are submitted to IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), which helps to define strategies for the conservation of species.