Until now there has never been a monograph devoted to the Pantanal, the world's largest wetland. The subject has received scant attention in the international literature, so a number of scattered Portuguese papers are reviewed for an English-language readership. The book presents a broad treatment of the Pantanal, ranging from geology to flora, fauna, and the human presence. The publication of this book is most timely, and will be of crucial importance in decisions affecting the ambitious project for a second South American inland Waterway.
This book provides readers with in-depth insights into the changes in the Pantanal wetland from its formation to the actual and likely future states. It reveals that today’s Pantanal is an evolutionary consequence of geological, ecological and, more recently, man-made events taking place at distinct space-time intervals. Topics include geotectonics and sun-earth interactions, which largely dictate the rate of drastic changes that eventually disrupt ecological stability and radically rebuild the regional landscape. Furthermore, the biota-climate system is discussed as a major driver reshaping the ecohydrology functioning of the landscape on an intermediate timescale. Also covered are major changes in the landscape ecohydrology and biodiversity due to recent land-use and climate changes induced by humankind in the Anthropocene. The ability to recognize how those temporal scales impact the Pantanal wetland provides the opportunity for wise management approaches and the sustainable development of the region.
One of the greatest treasures in the World and one of the hotspots in Brazil: the Pantanal. It has a privileged geographical position on the map, right in the heart of South America, in the middle of the tropical rainforest, surrounded by Caatinga and Cerrado. Almost all the Brazilian fauna is present. The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world. With an area of about 250,000 square kilometers (roughly the area of Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal together) the Pantanal extends through Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil with around 62% in Brazil, in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. Inserted in the central part of the basin in the north of Paraguay, the Pantanal is surrounded and flooded regularly by the Paraguay river and its many tributaries in the region and impresses with extensive wetlands and wild nature - since 2000 World Heritage by Unesco and protected nature “World Biosphere Reserve”. Let me take you to a photographic journey through the Pantanal!
A paisagem da parte sul do Pantanal é formada por um mosaíco de rios, lagos, brejos, campos úmidos estacionais e florestas que são fortemente influenciados pelos níveis da água no solo. Ao sul do Rio Negro, na região de inundação estacional, desenvolve-se a forma clássica da savana úmida que apresenta como grandes extensões de campo com arbustos e árvores (Curatella americana, Byrsonima orbignyana) os quais são resistentes à inundação.
Learn about the history of the Panatal in South America with iMinds Travel's insightful fast knowledge series. In the heart of South America lies the Pantanal, the largest freshwater wetland system in the world. An area the size of France, most of the wetlands lie in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. Often overshadowed by its more glamorous cousin The Amazon, the Pantanal actually has the greatest concentration of wildlife in the Americas. And environmentalists say it is in just as much ecological danger as any of the world's rainforests. Though the word 'pantanal' means swamp in both Spanish and Portuguese, the Pantanal is actually an enormous alluvial plain. The wetlands are all that remain of an ancient inland sea, known as the Sea of Xaraies. This giant body of water began to dry out about 65 million years ago. Today the Pantanal is surrounded by highlands and water runs down into the valley from all sides. The natural cycle of the ecosystem is extreme and accounts for the large variety of fauna and flora. iMinds will tell you the story behind the place with its innovative travel series, transporting the armchair traveller or getting you in the mood for discover on route to your destination. iMinds brings targeted knowledge to your eReading device with short information segments to whet your mental appetite and broaden your mind.
An indispensable guide to wildlife and travel in South America's Pantanal, where the continent's largest cat, the jaguar, lives alongside crocodiles, giant otters and the world's largest parrot.
