The Amazon, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, is an example of the immense biodiversity of our planet. The region is home to 10% of the world’s known species, and there is still much to discover. The species of animals and plants that inhabit the Amazon contribute to its delicate balance. Biodiversity generates ecosystem goods and services that are the basis of the economies of the Amazon region, providing access to food, water, housing, energy, and even medicines.
It also plays a fundamental role in climate regulation, the prevention of soil erosion and pollination, processes that support the functioning of the ecosystem and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, various threats such as the loss or fragmentation of habitats, deforestation and degradation, as well as environmental crimes, put these species at risk, which calls for immediate action.
Among others, there are three emblematic species of the region that face imminent threats and some actions carried out by projects of the Sustainable Landscapes of the Amazon Program (ASL) led by the World Bank with resources from the Global Environment Fund (GEF) are being carried out.
The pink dolphin
Also known as the Amazon dolphin, tonina, boto, bufeo or bugeo, this species fulfills the role of umbrella species, that is, its presence is an indicator of the health of river ecosystems. Its distribution extends through Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, and requires that its habitat has large-scale connectivity to ensure the viability of the populations. Currently, it is classified as an endangered species by the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), due to the fragmentation of its habitat by the construction of dams, the pollution of rivers and lakes by extractive activities, and by the direct hunting of individuals to be used as bait for the fishing of the Mota or Piracatinga (Calophysus macropterus).
Various projects and initiatives are working day by day to preserve the species and its habitats. In Peru, the project “Ensuring the future of the national areas of Peru”, with technical support from WWF and the implementation by the National Service of Protected Natural Areas by the State of Peru (SERNANP), has launched an initiative so that the public can contribute to the conservation of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in the department of Loreto, which is home to a large population of pink dolphins. Under the name “Nature I care for”, this initiative facilitates donations to support this reserve.
At the regional level, since 2006, there is the initiative of Estimation of Abundance of South American River Dolphins, led by local organizations in the 6 countries of presence of the species. This initiative has traveled the main rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, counting individuals, as well as recording information regarding the conservation of their habitat. These data have promoted advocacy actions for the creation of action plans, expansion of protected areas and establishment of biological corridors for these species, measurement of river health and monitoring of the conservation status of dolphins through the use of technology as satellite monitoring, in addition to working with local communities to control fishing activities and reduce conflicts.
The ASL promotes management initiatives in areas of importance for this species, such as the Ramsar Sites, strengthening the governance of these spaces, by establishing rules and conditions for the use and exploitation of the fishing resources of these sites.
Amazonian turtles
The Amazon rainforest is also home to various species of turtles, which fulfill various roles that are vital for ecosystems. Species that feed on fruits disperse seeds in vast areas, helping forest regeneration and promoting plant diversity. Other turtles are omnivorous and insectivorous, and contribute to the nutrient cycle, both in water and on land, by feeding on plants, insects and carrion. They also occupy key positions in the food web: the largest species, such as the giant river turtle (Podocnemis expansa), control prey populations and the smaller ones serve as food for other animals.
Various species of Amazonian turtles, such as the Amazonian river turtle (Podocnemis sextuberculata), the taricaya (Podocnemis unifilis) and the charapa arrau (Podocnemis expansa) face growing threats, such as habitat loss, illegal trafficking and overexploitation of their meat, eggs and oil, generating their inclusion in the IUCN Red List.
Fortunately, there are several initiatives for its protection and conservation. For example, in 2022, the ASL Brazil project, with the support of the World Bank, achieved through monitoring actions, that 280,000 baby turtles were released, increasing their chances of reaching adulthood. This is crucial, since, due to hunting and natural predators, out of every thousand offspring released, only 1 or 2 reach the adult stage. Through the same project, it has been possible to encourage communities to start sustainable breeding in excavated tanks, allowing a new source of income through the marketing authorized by the Government of the State of Amazonas. As a result of this initiative, in 2023, more than 274,000 young were released in the Middle Juruá Territory, contributing to the conservation of those species and the ecosystem as a whole.
The jaguar
The jaguar, one of the largest feline species in the world, plays an essential role in the ecological balance as a superpredator, and an important role at the cultural level, since it is an important element of the worldview of Amazonian indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, the fragmentation of its habitat, poaching and conflicts between humans and wildlife threaten its existence. Currently, the Amazon is home to almost 90% of the total population of jaguars, approximately 57,000 individuals (Quigley et al., 2018). Conservation initiatives, including community-intended anti-poaching patrols, as well as the restoration of ecological corridors, are essential to ensure the survival of this iconic species.
The project “Connectivity corridors in two priority landscapes in the Ecuadorian Amazon region” starts from the ASL with technical support from Conservation International, will contribute to improving the protection of forests in the key landscapes of Yasuni – Limoncocha and Palora-Pastaza in Ecuador. In addition, it includes specific activities for the preservation of the habitat of species such as the jaguar and the corridor that allows its mobility.
The pink dolphin, the Amazon turtles and the jaguar are just some of the emblematic species of the biodiversity of the Amazon and their survival depends on conservation actions at the regional level and joint work between local governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and local communities.