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Over the course of a year, researchers will study the sounds of birds and amphibians in Serra do Amolar, one of the most preserved regions of the Brazilian Pantanal. The goal is to determine which species live in the area, their habits, and how they cope with the impacts of climate change. Biologist Wener Hugo Arruda Moreno states, “First of all, we will catalog these species, list them, and then we want to answer questions. What habitats do they occupy? What is their reproductive period? What is their repertoire during this reproductive period? Do they migrate or not, and at what time of year do they come to Serra do Amolar? Many of the species also have migratory habits. So this tool will enable us to answer various questions and expand our knowledge about the biodiversity of the region.”
To interfere as little as possible with the environment, the researchers use audio recorders placed in strategic locations. Wind, for example, which produces sound, needs to be avoided. Since the mountain is near a flooded plain, sounds from aquatic birds will also be part of the study, just as those from amphibians will.
“Amphibians play a crucial role because they are among the first bioindicators of environmental quality. They are very sensitive to any change or alteration, whether in the climate or in the environment in general. If we see that there are certain periods when we have a species and it simply disappears for no reason, it is a concerning factor. They serve as pioneers for environmental quality. Since we are still getting to know them, we need to know which species are present, during which periods they are active, to see if this is common for the species, for the population, and in the community as a whole. So that is the importance; they are among the first that will signal change,” explains the biologist.
Understanding the biodiversity of the area is one of the most effective ways of preservation. Wener works with Grasiela Porfírio. Both are biologists at the Instituto Homem Pantaneiro, a social organization focused on the preservation of Serra do Amolar. Grasiela explains that nature functions like an orchestra, where everything is very harmonious. When one of the musicians is removed from this orchestra, it needs to rearrange itself to continue producing sound and maintaining harmony. Climate change can begin to interfere with these migration patterns, impacting the ecological processes that govern biodiversity. With knowledge of the bioacoustics of the region, it is possible to evaluate, understand, project, and propose measures that can mitigate the impacts on nature.