Protecting the Pantanal for our common future
By Rafaela Nicola, Director, Wetlands International Brazil (Image: Wetlands International)
2 Feb 2025 by The Water Diplomat

World Wetlands Day serves is a powerful reminder of the critical role of wetlands in sustaining life. Wetlands are so much more than just waterlogged landscapes; they are biodiversity havens, climate regulators, and central to water security. Yet, they continue to be misunderstood, undervalued and under protected. With 35% loss globally since 1970, wetlands are our most threatened ecosystem, disappearing three times faster than forests.
In 2025 Wetlands International shines a spotlight on the Pantanal. The Pantanal, a vast alluvial plain, is located in the Upper Paraguay river basin and is profoundly influenced by the rivers that cross this region. It is the world's largest tropical wetland (larger even than England!) and is a living example of both ecological richness and vulnerability. It extends across Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, with 70% of its territory located in Brazil. It is dependent on three of Brazil's most important biomes: the Amazon, the Cerrado and the Atlantic Rainforest for things like water, sediment flow, and nutrients. In addition, it is influenced by the Chaco biome, which covers the portions of the Pantanal located in northern Paraguay and eastern Bolivia.
The Pantanal is home to over 4700 animal and plant species including large populations of threatened species such as jaguars, jabirus, and hyacinth macaws. Importantly, it provides critical nesting and feeding sites for migratory birds and fish.
Like all wetlands globally, the Pantanal provides important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water regulation and purification. It also provides economic activities to local populations from cattle ranching to tourism.
Unfortunately, the Pantanal faces escalating threats from increasing deforestation, uncontrolled fires, and climate change. Large-scale unsustainable agricultural practices mainly in the upper lands, involving agrochemicals use and irrigation in the lowlands, dredging activities along river streams and the introduction of exotic species for pasture have further degraded the area.
These activities have severely reduced the region's resilience to natural threats. In 2020, fires destroyed more than 30 per cent of the biome's total area. 2024 saw 1.3 million hectares of vital wetlands in the Pantanal burn in forest fires. The charred trees and animal remains are a visual representation of effects felt deeply in indigenous communities.
These challenges underscore the urgent need for stronger protective measures and the adaptation of economic practices to the realities of a changing climate. Achieving this requires integrated management goals, calling for global responsibility and support on the ground projects. It is essential to promote productive practices that align traditional knowledge with techno-scientific expertise, alongside the introduction of inclusive social technologies and practices already adapted to the region's seasonal floods and droughts. These practices should respect landscape dynamics, preserve the region's socio-biodiversity, and safeguard its rich natural heritage. Active listening and broad engagement from both local and global communities are key to finding sustainable solutions focused on well-being, quality of life, and fostering harmony between nature and society.
At Wetlands International, we work on the restoration and protection of the Pantanal through the Corredor Azul Programme. Alongside partners, we launched a comprehensive tool SIFAU – Fire Intelligence System in Wetlands, implemented an early fire warning system, support local firefighters with equipment and training and work with communities on better management of nurseries and reforested areas.
We are also a core partner of the Freshwater Challenge, a global initiative to accelerate the restoration of degraded rivers and wetlands and to protect intact freshwater ecosystem. We warmly welcomed Brazil joining the Freshwater Challenge and highlighting the importance of bringing together diverse actors to collaborate and create synergies across conventions to safeguard the future of these precious ecosystems.
Later this year Brazil will welcome world leaders to the mighty Amazon River system, as host of UNFCCC COP30 taking place in Belem. This will be a key moment for governments, business and donors to recognise the vulnerability of wetlands to the climate crisis, and to prioritise wetlands in climate mitigation and adaptation commitments, actions and investments.
In the run up to climate COP30, the Convention on Wetlands COP15 will be a critical milestone to shine a spotlight on wetlands as climate solutions. Hosted by Zimbabwe in late July, governments and other stakeholders can strengthen commitments, embrace transformative policies, and mobilise finance for wetland conservation and restoration.
World Wetlands Day is more than a celebration; it's a call to action—urging leaders to prioritize wetland health for biodiversity preservation, climate mitigation, and water security. It is a call to protect wetlands for our common future. The time to act is now.