The Amazon region, renowned for its immense biodiversity, is home to 10% of the world's known species. This rich diversity contributes significantly to the ecosystem goods and services that form the foundation of the Amazon region's economies, offering access to food, water, housing, energy, and even medicines. It also plays a crucial role in climate regulation, soil erosion prevention and pollination - processes that maintain ecosystem functioning and help mitigate climate change impacts. However, these species are at risk due to threats such as habitat loss or fragmentation, deforestation and degradation, and environmental crimes.
On World Endangered Species Day today, we focus on three emblematic species of the region that face imminent threats. We also highlight some actions carried out by projects of the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Program (ASL), led by the World Bank with resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as boto or pink river dolphin, serves as an umbrella species; its presence indicates the health of river ecosystems. It is currently classified as endangered by the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat fragmentation, construction of dams, pollution from extractive activities and direct hunting.
Several initiatives are working diligently to preserve this species and its habitats. In Peru, for instance, a project titled “Securing the Future of Peru's National Protected Areas” has launched an initiative allowing public contributions towards conservation efforts in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve - home to a large population of pink dolphins.
Freshwater turtles in the Amazon rainforest play various vital roles within their ecosystems. Several turtle species face increasing threats such as habitat loss and illegal trafficking resulting in their inclusion in IUCN's Red List. Fortunately, several initiatives aim at their protection and conservation. For example, in 2022 an ASL-Brazil project supported by the World Bank resulted in the release of 280,000 turtle hatchlings, significantly increasing their chances of reaching adulthood.
The jaguar (Panthera onca), one of the world's largest feline species, holds a crucial place in both ecological balance as an apex predator and cultural significance. Unfortunately, habitat fragmentation, poaching and human-wildlife conflicts threaten its existence. Conservation initiatives are essential to ensure the survival of this iconic species.
The Amazon River dolphin, Amazonian turtles and the jaguar are emblematic species of the Amazon's biodiversity. Their survival depends on regional conservation actions and collaboration between local governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and local communities.