Biodiversity

South America’s Endangered Oases

With only 4% of their area protected, fog oases are threatened by urbanization, mining, increased air pollution, and off-road trails

Surfing with dolphins

Biologist from Rio Grande do Sul recognized with international award for marine conservation in Lagoa dos Patos

Rainforest marsupials

Study suggests opossums emerged in the Amazon about 40 million years ago

Carlos Alfredo Joly: It’s time to focus on biodiversity

Botanist who created the Biota program states that defending the preservation of biological wealth is key to fighting climate change

Unexpected feast

Transplanting microorganisms reduces coral death

It may be possible to reduce coral death caused by ocean warming associated with climate change

Drawing wealth from nature

How biodiversity can drive a new cycle of industrial development in Brazil

Refuge under threat

Loss of native vegetation in the Amazon, home to nearly half of the world's jaguars, is putting the species at risk

Deforestation and hungry harpy eagles

The largest eagle in the world, is disappearing from some regions of the Amazon as a result of deforestation

Invisible message

When stimulated with ultraviolet light, the cock-eyed squid (Histioteuthis sp.) becomes covered with bright red dots

Harpy eagles are disappearing from parts of the Amazon

Preys for the largest eagle on Earth dwindle in deforested areas | 1'58

A giant water and food vacuum

African elephants are able to fill their nostrils with 3.7 liters of water in just 1.5 seconds

The harvestman with eight canes

Of all the harvestman species found in Brazil, Giupponia Chagasi is the best adapted to living in caves—a trait known as troglomorphism

Weakened legislation

Brazil dismantling environmental protection structures during the pandemic

Toads in the mist

In well-preserved remnants of the Atlantic Forest, a team of zoologists identified a peculiar new species of toad

These birds show how species arise

Ornithologist Luís Fábio Silveira, curator of the bird collections at the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo (MZ-USP), explains how studies with capuchino seedeaters help understanding their diversification by means of evolution | 5'46

These nurseries can help to recover coral

Culture of damaged fragments onto 3D-printed cribs is a promising technology for restoring threatened reefs | 4'50

Coral nurseries

Mobile cultivation of damaged coral in precast frames is a promising technology for rehabilitating reefs

Hidden losses

The size of the Atlantic Forest has remained almost stable for 30 years, but old forest is losing ground to newer formations with lower biodiversity and carbon stock

Where birds came from

Most species in the tropics emerged in extreme environments, such as deserts and mountains, before establishing themselves in other biomes

Damage beyond deforestation

Fragments of Atlantic Forest have already lost 23–42% of their biodiversity and forest carbon stocks

How drones chart forest biodiversity

Unmanned aerial vehicles are used to monitor tropical forests in a speedy, efficient and detail-rich manner | 4'34

Vaccines and sharks

A compound extracted from the livers of sharks is used in five coronavirus vaccine candidates

Anti-predator chemical shield

Seemingly harmless at first glance, the African maned rat (Lophiomys imhausi) carries a lethal weapon in its coat

Underwater stars

When disturbed by a physical bump or a beam of light, the tunicates Pyrosoma atlanticum emit a turquoise light

Policies for protecting nature

For two decades, the program's biodiversity research has provided a scientific foundation for creating conservation areas and increasing sustainable development in São Paulo

Under the female gaze

Males with brightly colored wings attract more females to their territory, as well as more rival males, sparking a fierce competition for mating partners

A poisonous weave

A spider web commonly found in the Americas is composed of toxins that paralyze and help kill prey

Shaped by floods and fires

Water, and to a lesser extent, fire, influence flora distribution and diversity in the Pantanal

Defenders of São Paulo’s savannahs and forests

Research teams from the Forest Institute propose new uses for Brazilian wood species and innovative strategies for protecting native vegetation