Towards a sustainable management concept for ecosystem services of the Pantanal wetland

Abstract

Among globally important wetlands, the Pantanal stands out because of it's a history of harmonious coexistence of man and biodiversity. In the recent years, however, severe human impacts have emerged, which are capable of disintegrating Pantanal's natural characteristics. This paper contributes to the development of a sustainable management concept considering ecological and socioeconomical demands. Use of natural resources in the highly productive catchment of the tributaries have direct effects on the floodplains of the Pantanal. A careful planning of hydropower plants is needed to maintain (a) some of the tributaries remaining open for fish spawning migration, and (b) the natural flood pulse as the overriding ecological factor. The traditional human population of the Pantanal is threatened by the developments of global change. Their knowledge to use floodplain-specific species is very important for developing sustainable use strategies. Several positive initiatives are highlighted, including the development of a green seal for Pantanal beef and the re-establishment of gallery forests along tributaries. The sustainable use of the fish ressources requires a precise analyis of the stock dynamics. For the further development of the sustainable use, a classification system is needed, which specifies the use potential and conservation demands of the individual habitats.