Viva Cerrado!
Wervel
The Richness of the Original Cerrado
Vegetation, Flora and Fauna
The Cerrado is one of the most rich and diverse tropical savanna ecosystems with a pronounced dry season. It supports a unique array of drought- and fire-adapted plant species which grow on nutrient-poor, often deep and well-drained soils. The Cerrado is composed of various types of habitats: the savanna-like cerrado itself on well-drained areas between strips of gallery forest along streams. In between there are areas of vegetation known as the wet campo, where tree growth is inhibited due to wide seasonal fluctuations in the water table.
The Cerrado contains about 5% of the world's flora and fauna. Its vegetation is ancient, perhaps stretching back as far in time as before the separation of Africa and South America. The region is home to an estimated 10,000 plant species, of which about half are endemic. Work is now in progress to choose representative areas for conservation. Some examples of its flora and fauna are below.
Tradition and Culture
The Cerrado it is the home of about 22 million people. Various cultures and ethnicities are found here, such as a minority of indigenous people, ‘caboclos’, a mix from indigenous people and the Portuguese, and ‘quilombos’, descendants from african slaves. Their livelihoods are traditionally adapted to the ecosystems and natural resources available in the Cerrado.
Over the last few decades, the Cerrado’s landscape has been transformed due to the urbanization process which followed the construction of Brasília, and due to large-scale agricultural production.
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At the social level, a regrettable degradation process and cultural and material impoverishment of the peoples in the Cerrado continue to impact negatively on local populations. Monocultures of soy and sugarcane are examples of an excluding economy, of which the rewards only benefit a selected few. Many organizations which support indigenous communities are already established, but constantly lose battles against large-scale farmers and corporations which are taking over the Cerrado.
Family farmer. Peter Caton/ISPN
Indios apinaye. Peter Caton/ISPN
Examples of biodiversity
The Mauritia Flexuosa Palm or 'buriti' can grow up to 35 metres and has many chestnuts with shiny scales which float allowing the the tree to be very common in the Cerrado. The tree is very important to the ecological system as is shown by the dependence on it by different species. Its flowers are somewhat yellow and thrive between December and April.
The Ipe tree from the tabebuia family is found throughout South America, but characteristic for the Cerrado. The tree is capable of reaching 40 metres. Many times, the tree can be found on ridges and within marshes. The tree is quite popular given the fact that the wood of the tree is known to be resilient and able to repel fungi and insects. An extract can be made from the berk and leaves. However, once depleted the tree will die, therefore it is necessary to limit and protect the tree.
The Baru tree (Dipterys alata Vox) is a typical cerrado tree capable of reaching 25 metres in length. In September and October this tree drops the nuts in Brasil referred to as Castanha de Baru.
These nuts can be toasted, used in sweets, baked gods and oil. To this oil medicinal value is attributed, but they healthy overall due to high concentrations of iron and zink.
For more information on the baru tree and nuts, please read this paper by Jaap van Nes:
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Castanhas de baru torrado. Lilian Brandt/ISPN
The Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea), has orange-yellow fruit that can be eaten, but is not known to be tasty. Not just the flower but also the leaves are dark green and beautiful. This plant is known to climb and flourishes in hot summers.
This beautiful flowering plant is the Calliandra dysanthao, known to be the symbol of the Brazilian Savannah. This is an important species for Brazil, this plant can grow up to 12 metres. This plant is commonly known as the Powder Puff Tree and native to Brazil.
The Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is considered to be vulnerable to extinction and is found in several parts of Brazil. It is often publicly considered to be the most threatened animal in South America and found in different countries. During the past 10-12 years the population decreased by 30%. These are often solitary animals with females that only have one young and thus have a low reproduction rate, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
The Brazilian three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) lives in the east of the Cerrado and is an endemic creature. This Armadillo was so rare that it was considered extinct until the early 90's. Being the mascot of Fifa World Cup in 2014 has made this creature more appreciated in Brazil and worldwide. The population has declined about 30% in past decade and most do not live inside the protected area. Therefore they are more likely to be disturbed by sugar cane and soybean plantations.
The Kaemphfer's Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni) is considered to be critically endangered. This bird was earlier on feared to be extinct, but was rediscovered in 2006. They are threatened by the production of cellulose, soy, beef production and arson.
The Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), once known to be the king of the pampas, has seen a significant decline over the past decades, but is also known for its abilities to adapt. it is currently residing in four South American countries. Habitat loss continues mainly due to agriculture and hunting.
Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is considered to be nearly threatened with extinction. The wolf is found in different countries: Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Bolivia and northern Argentina. This is actually a relative of the wild wolf and the pet dog. These solitary omnivores need large open spaces to hunt, but eat a large variety of things. Currently there are about 13,000 mature maned wolves left in the wild.