Authors
Angelo A Agostinho, Sidinei M Thomaz, Luiz C Gomes
Publication date
2005/6
Journal
Conservation biology
Volume
19
Issue
3
Pages
646-652
Publisher
Blackwell Science Inc
Description
In terms of biodiversity, Brazilian inland waters are of enormous global significance for Algae (25% of the world's species), Porifera (Demospongiae, 33%), Rotifera (25%), Cladocera (Branchiopoda, 20%), and fishes (21%). Threatened freshwater species include 44 species of invertebrates (mostly Porifera) and 134 fishes (mostly Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae), primarily distributed in south and southeastern Brazil. Reasons for the declines in biodiversity in Brazilian inland waters include pollution and eutrophication, siltation, impoundments and flood control, fisheries, and species introductions. These problems are more conspicuous in the more‐developed regions. The majority of protected areas in Brazil have been created for terrestrial fauna and flora, but they also protect significant water bodies and wetlands. As a result, although very poorly documented, these areas are of great importance for aquatic species …
Total citations
Scholar articles
AA Agostinho, SM Thomaz, LC Gomes - Conservation biology, 2005