Being cautious about hydropower dams in the Pantanal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v15i1.2679Resumo
Transition energy plans from many developing countries rely on hydropower expansion as climate-friendly energy sources. However, cumulative impacts from multiple dams still need to be integrated into environmental impact assessments. Establishing better connections among the ecosystem services and dams within each river basin can enable us to identify forgone ecological benefits or optimize inevitable trade-offs. Here, we highlighted the main challenges for the Pantanal ecoregion, a broad floodplain in the shadow of a fast-track dam-building program. Synergetic effects of climate extremes, dams, and agricultural intensification have led to the shrinking of aquatic environments and, consequently, reduced regulating and supporting services, such as carbon sink and habitat provision. At this point, balancing socioeconomic and ecological needs is mandatory to maintain the Pantanal floodplain’s integrity. We urge the policy communities to take basin-wide strategic planning seriously to reduce environmental costs.
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