Cerrado Biosphere Reserve, world’s most biodiverse savanna

South America's Cerrado "is the world’s most biodiverse savanna, home to 5% of the planet’s animals and plants . . . habitat for about 200 species of mammals, 860 species of birds, 180 species of reptiles, 150 species of amphibians, 1,200 species of fish, and 90 million species of insects. Giant anteaters and armadillos are among its 60 vulnerable animal species, 12 of which are critically endangered. Of its more than 11,000 plant species, nearly half are found nowhere else on Earth, and local communities rely on many of them for food, medicine, and handicrafts . . . The Cerrado is also extremely important as a source of water. Of 12 major hydrological regions in Brazil, six begin in the Cerrado, including the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland. Nine out of 10 Brazilians use electricity generated by water originating in the Cerrado savanna." Since the 1950s, the Cerrado has faced significant degradation caused by agricultural expansion and deforestation. However, the establishment of the Cerrado Biosphere Reserve, which covers 296.5 thousand square kilometres, has emerged as a beacon of hope for this critical ecosystem, actively preserving its unique savanna biodiversity. Engaging local communities, the reserve has effectively implemented strategies to combat habitat loss, conserve water resources, and promote the coexistence of communities and wildlife.