DISCOVER THE BRAZIL: biodiversity

Showing posts with label biodiversity. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Brazil: Mato Grosso do Sul State - "Thick Forest of the South"

The good in doing tourism in Brazil are the numerous options that our country offers. Mato Grosso do Sul is a great picture of it. The state compensates for the fact of not being bathed by the sea, with priceless scenarios. Crystal clear rivers, waterfalls, caves, dense tracks the immensity wetland flooded ... phew! It's difficult to talk about this natural wilderness.

Photo by Mirian Coura Aveiro

Known for its biodiversity, ecotourism is an important attraction in Mato Grosso do Sul, especially in the southern region of Pantanal. Recognized by Unesco as a World Natural Heritage and a Biosphere Reserve, Pantanal is a plain that is subject to periodic flooding and one of the most diverse natural reserves on the planet. The main town in Pantanal is Corumbá, where sport fishing is a strong attraction.

Photo by Valentim Manieri

Photo by Mirian Coura Aveiro

The Correntoso a Cavalo Route, comprising the municipalities of Aquidauana, Corumbá and Miranda offers a ride through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Pantanal. It is a 7-8-day horse ride with stops at three lodges, each with different attractions but all with good infrastructure such as rooms with air-conditioning, swimming pools, Pantanal horses and typical regional cuisine.

The ongoing work of erosion has ensured the current shape of the Bodoquena Mountain Range, where the town of Bonito is located. The area houses huge caves crossed by rivers of clear water, which are ideal for diving.

Negro River, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul / Photo: Embratur

The state capital, Campo Grande, is marked by the diversity of customs, music and cuisine and reflects unique cultural traits due to the natural heritage left by the Indians and Europeans, Japanese, Paraguayans, Bolivians and migrants from other states. (Source: Embratur)

Campo Grande, the Capital. Photo by viajeaquiabril

Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the most aesthetically beautiful states in Brazil in terms of its abundant plant and animal species and its gorgeous views. This makes it a popular destination amongst tourists from Brazil as well as from other countries all over the world. It is surrounded by the states of Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná as well as by the South American countries of Paraguay and Bolivia. Mato Grosso do Sul maintains good relationships with these neighbouring countries, largely because of its location and the relative challenge of accessing other great centers in Brazil that it experiences. Therefore, some of its culture, customs and peoples reflect those of such neighbours, integrating these nations with one another to a certain, yet significant, extent.

Photo by Valentim Manieri

The name "Mato Grosso do Sul" literally means "Thick Forest of the South" in Portuguese, a name inherited from its northern neighbour state of Mato Grosso, of which it was part until the 1970s. It is not uncommon for people to mistakenly refer to Mato Grosso do Sul as simply "Mato Grosso". Other names that were proposed, at the time of the split and afterwards, include "Pantanal" (a reference to its best known geographical feature) and "Maracaju" (a reference to the Maracaju mountain range that crosses the state from north to south).

This State is hot and humid and its boasts subtropical and tropical climates. Even the cooler winter months are sunny, with daytime highs of about 24 degrees Celsius. The distinct rainy season extends from October to March of every year. With these ample rains, the marshes fill with water, creating a complex system of waterways on which boats provide the main source of transport. Gallery forests and stream valleys cut through vast savannahs in this country, creating a spectacle of natural wonder. There are a large number of grottos and caves, which have been protected from the harmful effects of human habitation to an enormous degree, ensuring that their splendour is authentic and breath-taking in its simplicity.

Photo by Valentim Manieri

"Here where the river embraces the forest and where the waters kiss the trees we feel the eternal presence of God " - Valentim Manieri

Photo by Valentim Manieri

One of the major obstacles to the industrial sector in Mato Grosso do Sul is the distinct lack of power, which is a necessary resource for almost every form of business. While the service sector maintains dominance in its contribution to the region’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), it is closely followed by agriculture. Soybeans, pork and chicken are very important products of the region and are also major exports. In addition, wheat and cotton are vital crops.

Truck on a scale with a load of soybeans in Brazil, soy storage silos in the background. Photo by brazilorg

Mato Grosso do Sul boasts a number of tourist attractions, most of which are centered on the incredible natural beauty of the area. Some of these include:

• The Rio da Prata (River of Silver) in Jardim.

• Pantanal – the exquisite tropical wetland and the largest flooded lowland in the world.

• Bonito – famous for its clear waters and impressive geological formations. While here, visit Gruta Lago Azul (Blue Lake Cave), Fazenda Estancia Mimosa, Aquario Natural and the Sucuri, Prata, and Formoso rivers.

• The Maracaju Mountain Range

• Corumbá – also called “The White City” for its high percentage of calcium

source: brazilorg

Monday, February 23, 2015

Brazil: Mato Grosso State

Situation and Characteristics

The state of Mato Grosso (the name means "primeval forest") in central Brazil is surrounded (in clockwise order) by Rondonia, Amazonas, Pará, Tocantins and Goiás (beyond the Rio Araguaia) and Mato Grosso do Sul. On the south-west it is bordered by Bolivia. The northern part of the state is in the Amazonian rain forest belt; the south merges gradually into savannah and finally into the swampland of the Pantanal.

History

The first settlers and founders of towns in the Mato Grosso, in the early 18th century, were gold prospectors from eastern Brazil. Soon afterwards cattle-farming developed to meet the needs of the immigrants, and this is still an important element in the economy, to which arable farming and forestry also make major contributions. In 1979 the southern part of the state was hived off and became the independent state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Its capital city is Cuiabá.

A state with a flat landscape, alternating great chapadas and plain areas, Mato Grosso presents three different ecosystems: Cerrado, Pantanal and the Amazon Rainforest. The vegetation of the open pasture covers 40% of the state, and the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, with its caves, grottos, tracks and waterfalls, is one of its great tourist attractions. In the north is the Amazonian forest, with a biodiversity covering half of the state. The Xingu National Park and the Araguaia River are in Mato Grosso. Further south, the Pantanal, the world's largest wetland, is the habitat for almost a thousand species of animals, with many aquatic birds.

Araguaia River. Photo ipetv

Tuiuiu bird symbol of Pantanal in Mato Grosso state. Photo: Google

Courtyard of Kamaiurá Village, Alto-Xingu. Indigenous people playing the "Uruá" flute. Photo: wikipedia

Mato Grosso lies predominantly on the western part of the Brazilian Plateau. It is elevated approximately 3 000 feet above sea level along of the Mato Grosso Plateau, which is home to the line that separates the neighbouring drainage basins, the Amazon River basin and the River de la Plata basin. This state is characterized by towering cliffs, mighty waterfalls and deep canyons, making for exquisite scenery and idyllic backdrops to your photographs. The western part of Mato Grosso is a floodplain, yielding magnificent grazing lands. In fact, these are recognized as some of the best grazing lands, not only in Brazil, but the world over. The whole state is hot throughout the year, but the lowlands are far more humid than those situated higher up.

Agriculture is the largest sector in terms of its contribution to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Mato Grosso is Brazil’s most valuable soybean producer and is also a major producer of cotton.

Truck on a scale with a load of soybeans in Brazil,
soy storage silos in the background.

National Park Chapada dos Guimarães

Visitors to Mato Grosso are urged to see the following attractions:

• The National Park Chapada dos Guimarães – famous for its gorgeous caves, trails and waterfalls, this attraction is situated in the Amazonian forest

• The Xingu National Park

• Pantanal – the most extensive wetland in the world

• Alta Floresta

• Fishing in São Benedito

• Bird watching in Alta Floresta and the Cristalino River Basin

• Chapada dos Guimarães

• Aroe Jari – the biggest sandstone cavern in Brazil

• SESC's Private Natural Heritage Reserve

some sources: brazilorg, wikipedia and planetware

Saturday, July 13, 2013

The Legend of the amazon river dolphins and Amazon Fauna and Flora

Folklore

Keeping alive the traditions of the “caboclo” (Brazilian Indian of pure blood).

Folklore is one of the most authentic manifestations of Amazonian popular culture in what it pertains to Amazonian legends that are part of the life of every inhabitant in the region. In any rural community, it is common to hear stories like that of the boto (river dolphin) which magically turns into a handsome man and seduces women. Alternatively, there is the scary story of the big snake, which for many is the explanation for the origin of some of the great rivers. Some legends tell that the forest is dwelled by mythological beings that protect it from the fury of hunters and timber men. The belief in fantastic beings like Curupira, the Iara, the Mapinguari, Matinta Perera and Juma provide an idea of the Amazonian enchantment and the cultural roots of the regional people. The folklore is kept alive through the formation of folklore ensembles with their own music, typical clothes, poignant dances, and rhythms.

In popular culture

"In traditional Amazon River folklore, at night, an Amazon river dolphin becomes a handsome young man who seduces girls, impregnates them, and then returns to the river in the morning to become a dolphin again. This dolphin shapeshifter is called an encantado. It has been suggested that the myth arose partly because dolphin genitalia bear a resemblance to those of humans. Others believe the myth served (and still serves) as a way of hiding the incestuous relations which are quite common in some small, isolated communities along the river. In the area, there are tales that it is bad luck to kill a dolphin. Legend also states that if a person makes eye contact with an Amazon river dolphin, he or she will have lifelong nightmares. Local legends also state that the dolphin is the guardian of the Amazonian manatee, and that, should one wish to find a manatee, one must first make peace with the dolphin". Search: Wikipedia.

So, because this legend to this day, kids without a father are called "child of the Boto" in the Amazon.

The Amazon river dolphin, commonly known as boto or boto cor-de-rosa is very similar to a mammal dolphin, with the main difference that lives in freshwater porpoise and dolphin in the sea.

The boto lives in the Amazon River basin and can also be found in countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.

Complete Legend:

During the rainy season (December to April), the river flooded large areas of forest swamps forming along its margins. It's when you can find the 'boto" closest to the people. At the start of the dry season, the "boto" moves to the major rivers and lakes of the forest.

During the June festivals, is celebrated as the day of St. John, St. Anthony and St. Peter, the local population of the Amazon region celebrates these festivals dancing, dropping fireworks, making bonfires and tasting regional food.

The Legend says that in these parties, in full moon nights, the "boto" turns into a young elegant and beautiful, good dancer, well dressed wearing hat and white shoes and go out looking for company.

The hat is a way to hide a large hole in the top of the head, made for the dolphin breathe since his transformation into a man is not complete.

This unknown and attractive guy, crushes and conquer with ease, the heart of the most beautiful and unaccompanied youth who cross his path.

He invites her to dance, seducing her and guiding her to the bottom of the river, where sometimes gets her pregnant.

Before dawn, as he has to go back to the river, the boy abandons her so she would not see him in the form of "boto".

It is also said that the dolphin can bring a sword strapped to his belt, and that at the end of the morning, when the time comes to go back to the river, all its accessories become other inhabitants of the river.

Older women with more experience, warn younger women to beware of beautiful men at parties, to prevent them from being seduced by the "boto".

Therefore, during parties, is necessary to carefully see a unknown boy using hat. Asks always for him to remove the hat for everyone to have the certainty that it is not the "boto" that is there.

Some say that the "boto" can also be a sort of protector of women, whose ships are wrecked.

In such situations, he appears to push women to the river banks to prevent them from drowning.

In popular culture of northern Brazil, when a girl gets pregnant out of wedlock, is said to be the son of "boto"

Text from: ePortuguese

Fauna and Flora

The world's largest living laboratory

Biodiversity in the Amazon region is unique and the richest in the world. The forests in the region concentrate 60% of all forms of life in the planet, but it is estimated that only 30% of all forms are known to science. There are about one million species of animals and vegetables, including more than 2000 types of fish, 2500 types of birds, 3500 types of trees having more than 30 cm in diameter and 300 species of reptiles, snakes, and lizards. Of the 483 species of mammals existing in Brazil, 324 live in the Amazonia (67%); of the 141 species of bats, 125 fly in the region. With an amazing 30 million species, the insects form the largest group of living creatures on the Earth, without counting bacteria and microorganisms. One third of them dwell in Amazonia. This biodiversity comprises a strategic reserve for the survival of human beings, since it incorporates a considerable reserve of nutritional as well as medicinal plants.

Amazonia has the largest venomous snake in the Americas, surucucu (Lachesis mutus) over 3 meters long. However, in the forest there are less dangerous snakes than in other regions. Amazing snakes are the nonvenomous Jibóia (Boa constrictor), Sucuris (anacondas) and their relatives, slumberous giants of up to 13 meters long and over 200 kilos. The majority of mammals have night and solitary habits. The traveler may wander days in the woods hearing mysterious sounds, but without meeting any group of animals. However, aquatic birds enjoy their paradise in Amazonia.