Amazonian savannas are an integral part of Brazil’s Amazon “biome”: implications for environmental policies

• DOI: 10.1007/s44353-025-00031-5
• Publication Date: 2025-03-30T01:25:22Z
• Authors: William Douglas C...; Salustiano V. Cos...; Fernando Cesar Pa...; Philip M. Fearnside; Renato Richard Hi...; Hernani Fernandes...; Cláudia Regina da...; José Julio de Toledo; Bruna Silva Xavier; Karen Mustin
• Keywords: Biome; Amazon basin; Deforestation

Abstract Conservation policies in Brazil differ between the “biomes” into which country has divided its territory since 2004. The Amazon biome is predominantly tropical forest but also includes unique savanna ecosystems, while Cerrado composed of various types islands and corridors forest. Confusion, both inadvertent deliberate, terms “savanna” resulted reducing protection Amazonian savannas by allowing less-demanding requirements applicable to be applied. Threats are increased legal provisions that allow required “legal reserves” private properties compensated reserves elsewhere same without requiring them ecosystem type. We suggest needed clarifications changes Brazil’s regulations guarantee country’s ecosystems.