Solving the problem of wildfires in the Pantanal Wetlands

Abstract

The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires is a matter of concern for biodiversity conservation around the world. Integrated fire management (IFM) can effectively prevent wildfires or reduce damage, decreasing the extent of burned areas and consequently carbon emission. However, funding sources for IFM are scarce. The carbon emission avoided by IFM in an indigenous land in the Brazilian Pantanal equals to 100 million dollars per year in carbon credits. This amount could be used to finance IFM in this area, as well as other conservation initiatives, such as forest restoration. A well-implemented program to pay for prevented carbon emission could substantially reduce the extent of burned areas and solve the problem of wildfires in the Pantanal.