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Pantanal an ecological system at crossroads
Wolfgang J. Junk Max-Planck-Institute for
Limnology
Working Group Tropical Ecology
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Introduction Ecological outlines History of
economic and social development Globalization and
development alternatives Conclusions and
recommendations
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Commercial values of the Pantanal   Aquatic
Terrestrial   Fishes Cattle and other
domestic animals Other aquatic animals Terrestri
al game animals Aquatic crops Terrestrial
crops Recreation and tourism Recreation and
tourism Fluvial transport Timber Hydroelectric
energy
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Non-commercial values and services of the
Pantanal   Water storage Buffering of water level
fluctuations Water purification Buffering of
local and regional climate (temperature, air
humidity) Maintenance of biodiversity Scenic
beauty High quality of life for local
people Negative Water born diseases and pests
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Mean values of natural capital of different
ecosystems sum of commercial and non-commercial
values (Constanza et al. 1997).   Wetlands and
rivers US 8.498 ha-1 yr-1 Forests US
969 ha-1 yr-1 Grasslands US 232 ha-1 yr-1
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• Summary
•  
• The Pantanal is a wetland of high national
• and international importance.
•  
• 2) Economic development in the countries
• participating on the Pantanal of Mato Grosso
• and globalization of economies are increasingly
• affecting the Pantanal, directly inside the area
  and
• indirectly by side effects of catchment area
• development programs.

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3) Because of many natural stress factors,such as
pronounced floods and dry periods, low nutrient
levels, and fire, the Pantanal is a very fragile
eco- system.   4) Its natural capital is very
high but more related to non-commercial than to
commercial values. 5) Major structures and
functions of the Pantanal are related to
hydrology. Changes in the flood regime would
lead to profound changes in the Pantanal
ecosystem and negatively affect its natural
capital.
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  6) Because of ecological constrains, (low soil
fertility, periodic flooding and drought, and
fire), the carrying capacity of the Pantanal for
humans is small. 7) Low density cattle ranching
has shown for two centuries to be a sustainable
management system for the Pantanal.
Environmental-friendly activities, such as
eco-tourism, cultivation of game animals, better
use of fishery resources, and a better marketing
of local products can complement the ranchers
income to economically compete with high
intensity cattle ranches on the uplands.
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• Recommendations
•  
• Maintenance of the flood pulse, flood plain
  specific
• habitats, and characteristic plant and animal
• communities.
•  
• 2) Reduction of negative side effects of
  catchment
• area development initiatives on the Pantanal,
  such as
• import of sediment and pollutants, changes in
• discharge and discharge pattern of tributaries,
• but also economic implications (construction of
• the hidrovia).

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3) Elaboration of integrated master plans for
sustainable management and protection of the
area and its resources by the countries
participating on the Pantanal.   4) Realization
of a multinational integrated research and
training program on hydrology, ecology,
socio-economy, and environmental management
to improve the scientific data basis, provide
technical assistance to governmental and
non-governmental organizations, and train human
resources for the sustainable management of the
Pantanal (such as UNU/PREP).
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5) Realization of rigid Environmental Impact
Analyses of all development programs to evaluate
their impact on the Pantanal.   6) Reinforcement
of environmental education at all levels of the
population in and around the Pantanal to improve
the knowledge about the area, rise proud on their
homeland, strengthen the acceptance of
environmental legislation and favor the
realization of additional protective initiatives.
  7) Intensification of intergovernmental
cooperation for the sustainable development and
protection of the Pantanal.