Between Soy and Pumas: The Future of Brazilian Biodiversity Is in the Hands of Farmers
Brazil holds 13% of the global biodiversity; however, agricultural expansion threatens its biomes. Farmers are pivotal for conservation, as 71% of the country’s territory is rural property. A ‘citizen science’ project, which engaged students and farmers to monitor wildlife in forest remnants using camera traps was carried out in a rural municipality located in the Atlantic Forest biome. The endangered species Puma concolor and the invasive species Sus scrofa, alongside other native fauna, were documented in the area. In addition to securing these new records, the project aimed to open dialogs, fight misinformation, and strengthen local partnerships. It highlighted how community-based science can bridge the gap between biodiversity conservation and agricultural production.
Authors
- Clarisse Hendges Stürmer
- Domingos Sávio Barbosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6793-0956)
- Mark D. E. Fellowes
- Flora Essy Angeoletto
- Gabriel Binsfeld
- Bruna Luísa Bervian Schons
- Adroaldo Sturmer
- Franciele Finck
- Valentina Antônia Kohlrausch Pinto
- Théo Bernardo Rockenbach
- Gabriela Catto Berwig
- Maria Clara Zandoná Tramontina
- Emily Sturmer
- Haiana Luisa Mai Soares
- Alana Vanoni Alnoch
- Vinícius Drechsler
- Izadora Steffen Polla
- Davi Otávio Zohler
- Victória Schneider Giacomelli
- Aline Gauer
- Aline Locatelli
- Fabio Angeoletto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3084-3928)
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia (BR)
- Royal Holloway University of London (GB)
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (BR)
- AgroBio (BR)
- Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
- Escola da Cidade (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Diversity
- Published
- 2026-04-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/d18050268
- Primary Topic
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00