Deforestation in the headwaters intensifies drought in the Pantanal, reveals research

Vinícius Hector, a master's graduate from EPGE Escola Brasileira de Economia e Finanças (FGV EPGE), investigated in his dissertation the causes of the worsening drought in the Pantanal, the largest continental wetland on the planet. Guided by Professor Francisco Costa, the study titled “Dry Wetland: Water Scarcity in the Brazilian Pantanal” utilized econometric tools to address a central question: Does the reduction of water in the biome result from decreased rainfall or from human activities affecting the headwaters? 

The results indicate that deforestation in the Cerrado regions that nourish the Pantanal is a determinant of downstream water scarcity. According to the research, the degradation of headwater areas not only reduces water flow but also increases the incidence of fires downstream, as the drought makes vegetation more vulnerable to fire. 

The work stands out as the first to apply statistical methods to measure this effect, providing robust evidence of the relationship between deforestation and hydrological changes in the biome. In addition to its scientific contribution, the dissertation presents practical recommendations: the preservation of Cerrado areas near the Pantanal is essential to ensure the environmental sustainability of the region.