The Pantanal is the world's largest freshwater wetland, located in the geographical centre of
South America. It is relatively well conserved, and features unique landscapes, ecosystems …

Most sponges produce skeletons formed by spicules, structural elements that develop in a
wide variety of sizes and tridimensional shapes. The morphologies of spicules are often …

Accurate estimates of changes in the composition and diversity of grassland ecosystems,
and an understanding of the mechanisms responsible, are essential for predicting future …

The Pantanal wetland is a mosaic of landscapes that brings together rich biodiversity with
the valuable activities of fishing, tourism and ranching. Human occupation and land use in …

Low fluvial terraces present azonal spatialization, encompassing several geomorphological
compartments and climate zones in Brazil. Their genesis is directly related to river dynamics …

The southern Brazilian coastal area harbors one of the largest wetland systems of South
America, important for its plant and animal biodiversity and ecosystems services provided for …

Wetland carbon storage is an important and environmentally sensitive ecosystem service.
Carbon burial in the floodplain lakes of the Pantanal (tropical South America) appears to …

Phytolith analysis has become a useful tool for paleoenvironmental studies. Phytoliths are
produced by plants and are composed of biogenic silica, giving them higher resistance to …

Freshwater sponges (Porifera: Spongillida) are sessile invertebrates with skeletons
composed of siliceous elements termed spicules. Sponge spicules (megascleres …

The Bolivian Chiquitano dry forest is the largest block of intact seasonally dry tropical forest
in South America and is a priority ecoregion for conservation due to its high threat status …