Biodiversity corresponds to the number of varieties of species of fauna and flora in a given place. In Brazil, biodiversity is a national heritage, only in the Amazon there are at least 55,000 species of plants, 428 of mammals, 1,622 of birds, 467 of reptiles and 516 of amphibians.
In relation to other countries in South America, Brazil stands out in the variety of species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. In the context of endemic species (a species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world), Brazil ranks first on a global scale in bird species.
Worldwide, Brazil is the first to harbor a greater variety of amphibians, third in birds and fourth in mammals and reptiles.
Our biodiversity is still little known, as studies are still modest, so, as studies and researches are developed, many other species will certainly be unveiled, and from then on the country will possibly occupy better places in the ranking worldwide.
Recent studies have revealed that Brazil ranks second globally in number of mammal species. The rich biodiversity of Brazil comes from continental dimensions and also because of the geographic location that favors the proliferation of animal and plant species. Brazil has the necessary elements for the emergence of several species, because it has year-round high temperatures and high humidity.
The set of ecosystems concentrates approximately 10% of the 1.4 million living species of plants and animals already described by science.
Despite these impressive numbers, a large portion of the Brazilian population contributes to the destruction of extremely important environments, such as the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. Thus, on the path we are following, we will certainly have in the future only pictures of what this important and rich ecosystem was. Currently, approximately 7% of the Atlantic Forest and around 20% of the Cerrado remain, the latter being at an even greater risk, as agriculture and cattle raising have occupied extensive areas of this domain.
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The studies are still modest and imprecise, however, it is already known that the extinction of apparently irrelevant species can lead to extremely negative results with incalculable consequences.
In this sense, there are studies that show that several species can be used in the treatment of diseases in humans, such as the use of of mint to fight schistosomiasis, cashews to cure cancer, fungi in the production of animal feed, among many others cases.
From these statements, it is possible to assume that we may have a plant still unknown to science that holds the key to discover cures for diseases that plague society, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes and dozens of others.
In short, if biodiversity can provide so many elements for man and for his own health, the only attitude to be taken is to preserve the environments for that in the future we can find active principles of plants to be discovered that will serve to improve the lives of millions of people in the world, because if continue the disorderly exploration of biologically rich ecosystems, certainly species not yet known will become extinct without being cataloged and studied.
By Eduardo de Freitas
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
FREITAS, Eduardo de. "Megadiversity in Brazil"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/brasil/megadiversidade-no-brasil.htm. Accessed on June 29, 2021.
