cerrado

Following the Amazon rainforest, the Cerrado is the second largest biome in South America. It occupies almost 25% of Brazil, and except for a few small areas in Bolivia and Paraguay, it is completely inserted within the Brazilian territory. Although commonly called Savannah, the Cerrado also includes forestal and campestral formations which make it quite distinct from, for example, the African Savannah. Furthermore, the Cerrado biome has the role of contact between the Amazon Forest, The Atlantic Forest and the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. The Cerrado’s rich flora (about 1000 species of trees, 3000 species of herbs and shrubs, and about 500 species of climbers) is still not well known by the international community.

Threats to Cerrado Conservation
The loss of bio-diversity in the Cerrado has been intense. A recent study revealed that only a third of the area covered by the biome is still in a reasonable state of conservation, with the remaining two thirds totally disfigured by the actions of man. Other researches reveal that just 7% of the region of the Cerrado retains the natural vegetation.

The nutrient-poor Cerrado soils, also being acidic and containing high levels of aluminum, for a long time were considered unsuitable for agriculture. The large Cerrado ranches were traditionally used for free-range cattle, which caused relatively little damage to the flora and fauna. In the last 30 years, however, progressive mechanization with improved techniques for clearing and fertilizing the land have contributed to an accelerated destruction of the natural vegetation. Large soy, corn and rice plantations as well as clearing for charcoal are the Cerrado's main enemies and unfortunately only 1.5% of the biome is preserved in the form of reserves.

This threat has concerned the Brazilian authorities and population, and in 1990 a government decree created the Reserva Particular de Patrimonio Natural –RPPN– (Private Reserve of the Natural Patrimony) to preserve areas of biological significance. These reserves are recognized by the government as permanent, yet the properties retain their private status. The increasing number of RPPN’s that have been established in the last decade are a great proof of Brazil’s concern in preserving what remains of its beautiful, biologically rich natural heritage. is beginning the process of becoming an RPPN.

References

A Flora do Planalto do Brasil, Therese von Behr e Luiz Carlos Bhering Nasser, 1999.
Grande Oeste (Imagens do Centro Oeste do Brasil), Rui Faquini, 1999.

"The mountains here do not rise in the way of standard ranges. Instead, they burst forth as crests on the tablelands, as in the formation of the luxurious deserts of Jalapao in the State of Tocantins, the Chapada dos Guimaraes in the State of Mato Grosso, or in the engaging Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goias. The Cerrado brazenly exposes the rocky surgical sutures of the three ancient proto-continents of the Brazilian shield, as the tortured structures of the Serra da Mesa, the Pireneus Mountains and the Serra Dourada. All ancient. All gold-bearing." (Paulo Betran, from the beautiful book Grande Oeste, by photographer Rui Faquini).

For the most part, the Cerrado presents sparse and low vegetation, making it accessible for us to appreciate its details. Many of the trees are twisted and short with roots reaching down deep into the dry and acid soil. The topography tends to be flat with elevation accents that can reach to 7,000 feet. In these elevated areas of the Plano Central are the springs where small and then large rivers begin their long and nourishing journeys down to the mighty Amazon and Parana river basins. Along the rivers, the vegetation changes to a forest type called mata ciliar, with luxurious palms, ferns, and trees of many sizes and kinds, forming a perfect environment for monkeys, birds and a myriad of fascinating animals.

Most Cerrado trees have extensive root systems that tap water from the depths of the soil so that their leaves are evergreen, even during the dry season. Their thick, corky bark protects the trunks from fire. The ground layer plants have underground buds, bulbs or rhizomes that survive in a dormant state even when the whole plant disappears above ground, sprouting with the first spring rains.

The Cerrado oscillates between a rainy and a dry season and temperatures range from 50 to 95 degrees F depending on the time of the year. During the dry season it might not rain at all from May until September, when under constant sunshine, the grasses and herbs become drier and drier. Fires can occur, especially at the end of the dry season (August and September), when the temperature is the hottest. After the fire season the vegetation sprouts quickly. Cerrado plants are well adapted to droughts and fires with which they have co-evolved for millions of years.

The rainy season, from October to April, is a time of intense growth for Cerrado plants. During the summer months of December and January, it rains copiously, and intense thunderstorms are commonplace. The leaves of the plants become lush and green, and many beautiful flowers begin to appear. Many Cerrado plants produce fruits at this time of the year, which is when many animals are reproducing, and also when the Cerrado is home for many species of migrant birds.

The frequent summer rains also offer ideal conditions for the germination and establishment of the tiny seedlings which must be deeply rooted by the time the next dry season comes.