Extreme drought is causing forest fires to rage in Brazil’s Pantanal wetland

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This was announced by the Brazilian space institute Inpe. The number of fires is now nine times higher than the November average for the past 25 years.

The wetland, which extends from Brazil to the neighboring countries of Bolivia and Paraguay, consists of a branched system of rivers and lakes and is a unique natural and tourist paradise. It is unusual for the region to experience so many fires in November because that month’s rainfall typically floods the area.

But according to the Ministry of Environment, the rainy season will be late this year due to the severe drought in the biome. In addition, the drought is exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon that occurs every few years and climate change. Other areas in Brazil, such as the Amazon, are currently experiencing the worst drought in more than a century.

“Floods, droughts and fires are part of the natural dynamics in the Pantanal,” said Roberto Maldonado of the environmental organization WWF on Thursday. “But in recent years we have experienced increasingly extreme droughts and gigantic fires that are completely out of control and threaten to destroy the sensitive ecosystem.”

The Pantanal is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and is home to rare species. Jaguars, tapirs and hyacinth macaws live there. Economically, livestock farming is the most important activity in the area. Farmers traditionally burn forest areas to create new pastures. If these fires get out of control, huge forest fires can occur. (SDA)

Source:Blick