Programme
The paradise of the largest wetland of the world (The Pantanal)
Dr. Ernandes Sobreira Oliveira Junior (UNEMAT, Brazil)
Introducing the Pantanal as the largest continuous wetland on Earth, explaining its hydrological dynamics, seasonal flood pulse, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. I will highlight the role of water, climate, fauna, and flora, as well as the importance of the Pantanal for regional, national, and global environmental balance.
European wetland paradises and their protection (do species matter? an ecological theory conundrum)
Bjorn Robroek (Radboud University, Netherlands)
Experimental evidence from my work challenges prevailing assumptions about plant diversity in peatlands: diverse plant communities do not outperform monocultures in terms of functional stability, a striking contrast to positive diversity effects in grasslands and forests. This finding raises a fundamental question: should peatland ecology shift its focus from species-level diversity to the functional roles that species play?
Is there still fish in the paradise?
Claumir Muniz (UNEMAT, Brazil)
Explaining the current status of fisheries in the Pantanal, with a specific focus on fishing activities in the state of Mato Grosso. I will discuss fish diversity, artisanal and commercial fisheries, available data on fish stocks, the effects of altered flood regimes, human pressures, and regulatory frameworks, emphasising the challenge of balancing conservation, livelihoods, and the fishing economy.
Tracking fish in the modified Dutch delta during their search for a wetland paradise
Casper van Leeuwen (Radboud University, Netherlands)
The Netherlands used to have pristine wetlands and free-flowing rivers, but nowadays has a heavily modified hydrology with dikes, dams, weirs and sluices. I will discuss the impact of these modifications on fish communities using acoustic telemetry tracking data and food web analyses, and present a forward-looking wetland restoration project that is currently ‘bending the curve’ towards positive ecological trends.
The death of the entire biome - actions needed to protect the paradise
Thiago Ferreira Pereira (UNEMAT, Brazil)
Examining the multiple drivers threatening the Pantanal as an integrated biome, including wildfires, deforestation in the surrounding uplands, river regulation, and climate change. I will discuss the ecological and social consequences of these impacts and, most importantly, outline urgent actions required, such as public policies, integrated basin management, ecological restoration, and societal engagement to prevent biome collapse.