Just 30 Tree Species Dominate World’s Most Diverse Savanna, Study Reveals
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📰 The quick summary: New research reveals that just 30 tree species dominate Brazil’s vast Cerrado savanna, accounting for nearly half of all trees despite the region’s incredible biodiversity.
📈 One key stat: Less than 2% of the 1,605 tree species found in the Cerrado account for nearly half of all trees, highlighting the vulnerability of this crucial ecosystem.
💬 One key quote: “We were surprised by this level of hyperdominance in such a diverse ecosystem,” said lead author of the study Dr. Facundo Alvarez with the State University of Mato Grosso.
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists have discovered that the Cerrado savanna, the world’s largest and most diverse of its kind, is dominated by just 30 tree species. This phenomenon, called “hyperdominance,” means a tiny fraction of species (less than 2% of 1,605 tree species) account for almost half of all trees in this vast ecosystem. The Cerrado spans two million square kilometers across Brazil – comparable to the combined area of France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and England. Beyond its biodiversity importance, this savanna serves as a gateway to Amazonia while playing essential roles in carbon sequestration and clean water supply.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This discovery helps focus conservation efforts on key species that maintain the savanna’s stability and functionality. Understanding which species dominate allows researchers to predict how the ecosystem might respond to disruptions from changing fire regimes or climate change. For restoration efforts, identifying these critical species creates a blueprint for effective rehabilitation of damaged areas. The research also provides valuable information about species diversity distribution throughout the Cerrado, enabling more targeted protection strategies for particularly diverse regions within this expansive ecosystem.
3️⃣ What’s next: Protecting the Cerrado must become an international priority rather than a burden solely carried by local communities. Conservation efforts should focus on these 30 dominant species to maintain core ecosystem functionality. Since more than half of the Cerrado has already been deforested and only 8% is protected, urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of this critical environmental barrier.
Read the full story here: EcoWatch – World’s Most Diverse Savanna Dominated by Just 30 Tree Species: Study
