fevereiro, 12 2023

The study “Impending anthropogenic threats and protected area prioritisation for jaguars in the Brazilian Amazon”, carried out by WWF, National Center for Research and Conservation of Carnivorous Mammals (CENAP) of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBIO), and collaborators analysed threats to jaguars (i.e. human population density; roads; pastures; fire hotspots; deforestation; and mining areas) and jaguar populations across 447 Brazilian Amazon PAs including 330 indigenous reserves identifying priority areas for the conservation of the species, and reinforcing the role of indigenous lands as sanctuaries for jaguars and biodiversity.

Jaguars (Panthera onca), the largest cat of the America, have already been lost from 50% of their historic range and are under increasing threats. The Amazon represents the largest stronghold for the species, holding 2/3 of its current range (~9 million km2), the majority of which lays in Brazil. However, the biome is degrading rapidly with rampant deforestation to make way for agriculture, mining, and infrastructure and widespread hunting. For instance, in deforested areas with cattle pastures, as many as 110–150 jaguars and pumas can be killed annually through poisoned carcasses and direct persecution by hunters. 

The 447 areas analysed amount to 1,755,637 km2 which represents 41.7% of Brazilian Amazon, and host 26,680 jaguars, according to the models applied in the study. Indigenous reserves cover 1,120,738 km2 and were estimated to host 63.2% of the total estimated number of jaguars across the 447 PAs, and low level of threats, comparable to strictly protected areas, highlighting their importance for jaguar conservation. 

We identified the top-10 protected areas - Terra do Meio Ecological Station, Mapinguari National Park and the Indigenous Lands  Apyterewa, Araribóia, Cachoeira Seca, Kayapó, Marãiwatsédé, Parque do Xingu, Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau and Yanomami - that should be prioritised for immediate jaguar conservation efforts and 74 additional areas that should be prioritised for short-term action. Many of these are located at the deforestation frontier or in important boundaries with neighbouring countries (e.g. Peruvian, Colombian and Venezuelan Amazon) and are among those most pressured by deforestation, fires, and other threats with urgent action needed.  

The 10 top priority PAs amount to a total of 25,254 km2 (1.5% of the overall PAs area) but they can support a conservative estimated 3,511 jaguars — 13.2% of the total estimated jaguar population size for all 447 PAs. If we consider the 10 top priority areas plus the 74 short term priority areas, these 84 areas could protect 53.1% of the total jaguar population size estimated to occur within the 447 PAs.

Large scale planning is particularly important for jaguars: with home ranges of hundreds of km2, their long-term conservation requires effective networks of protected areas (PAs) and connectivity corridors. Furthermore, since jaguars are classed as a flagship and umbrella species, by conserving jaguars and their habitats, wider biodiversity benefits, as well as local communities depending on healthy forests.

This study helps environmental and research organisations, and policy makers to prioritise resources for maintaining the world´s largest population of jaguars. “With a fast-shrinking Amazon, limited conservation funding, and no time to spare, the study is paramount to ensure conservation actions are targeted effectively to where they are most needed and can protect the largest number of jaguars, helping to safeguard their Amazonian stronghold” says Dr. Juliano Bogoni, lead author and researcher from the University of Sao Paolo and the University of East Anglia.  

“The future of jaguars, even in the most intact Neotropical regions, such as the Amazon, is only secure in protected areas where land-use restrictions can be strictly enforced and only if relentless political pressure to downsize, downgrade and degazette PAs can be resisted. PAs are central to safeguarding biodiversity, yet they are under multiple geopolitical pressures” says Marcelo Oliveira, co-author and Species Lead in WWF-Brazil. Currently, the Brazilian government invests less than one dollar per km2 across all protected areas under state and federal jurisdiction, not including indigenous lands.

 With the recent elections and the change in presidency new hopes revive for the Brazilian Amazon and jaguars, thanks to increased political will for environmental protection. “Participative monitoring and the use of technology are important strategies for understanding the delicate biodiversity in the Amazon biome, and help to design sound policies and strategies for its conservation” Marcelo Oliveira continues.

The study advocates for: (1) increased funding and support for protected areas and indigenous lands, especially the prioritised ones, while strengthening participation of indigenous people and local communities in the decisions and management of their territories; (2) increased support, funding and mandate for environmental agencies such as IBAMA and ICMBio, which suffered significant cuts in recent years; and (3) strong policies and legal frameworks that leave no space for protected area downsizing, downgrading and degazettement. 

Lastly, “safeguarding protected areas is of paramount importance for jaguars but it is not enough. We also need to maintain connectivity between them through safe corridors and robust land use planning to ensure genetic flow. Ultimately, conserving jaguars means conserving large areas of the Amazon, with important planetary benefits” states Dr. Valeria Boron, co-author and Senior Programme Advisor in WWF-UK.