Cerrado Ecosystem Overview

Cerrado Ecosystem Overview

• The Cerrado is a vast biome, primarily located in Brazil (99%).
• It's a biodiversity hotspot with an estimated 12,000 plant species; at least 1,500 are endemic.
• This critical ecosystem supports 3 major river basins in Brazil.
• Over one-fourth of Brazil's territory (approximately 20%) is comprised of the Cerrado.
• The Cerrado boasts a mix of grassland, savanna, and wooded areas supporting a wide array of wetlands and numerous endemic species not found elsewhere in the world.
• Its natural vegetation cover is estimated at 30% or less.

Cerrado Soil and Vegetation

• Cerrado's soil is exceptionally deep and contains a large amount of water, vital during the wet season.
• The soil acts as a carbon reservoir.
• Root systems are extensive, and the above-ground vegetation represents only a fraction of the total biomass.

Human Impact on the Cerrado

• Primarily driven by agriculture and urbanization.
• Large-scale land conversion to pastureland and other uses has lead to significant losses in Cerrado habitats.
• Distinguishing between pasture and grassland can be challenging.

Ecological Succession in the Cerrado

• Succession describes the process of ecological change after a disturbance.
• Secondary succession proceeds more rapidly because soil already exists.
• Cerrado's ecosystem has a natural dominance of fire, with cycles occurring primarily during the wet season.
• Adaptation to fire includes thick bark, extensive root systems, and behaviors like burrowing or migration to avoid flames.
• Post-fire succession demonstrates shifts in species composition.
• Succession is driven by increasing diversity after fires

Invasive Species in the Cerrado

• Invasive alien species (e.g., wild boars) exhibit rapid population growth, outcompeting native species and disrupting ecosystems.
• Introduced wild boar populations, initially for hunting, have expanded throughout South America.
• Introduced African grasses, favored for livestock grazing, have out-competed native grasses, worsening the effects of fires.

Feedbacks in the Cerrado Ecosystem

• Feedbacks describe the actions that either further or mitigate an initial change, creating positive or negative reactions.
• Positive feedbacks intensify changes, while negative ones moderate them.
• Cattle grazing both promotes invasive grasses and diminishes fire intensity.
• Clearing the Cerrado is linked to increased wind speeds, precipitation, fire frequency, and fire intensity.
• Human-induced changes must be differentiated from natural occurring changes in the dynamic ecosystem.

This quiz explores the unique characteristics of the Cerrado ecosystem, a biodiversity hotspot in Brazil. Learn about its diverse vegetation, significant soil properties, and the impacts of human activities such as agriculture on this vital biome.