According to Article 2 in the Convention on Biological Diversity, biodiversity or biological biodiversity means “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, among others, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part of; also including diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

Biodiversity is responsible for the balance and stability of ecosystems. Its ecological functions are just beginning to be better understood, but it is considered that biodiversity is responsible for the natural process of the ecosystems and species that sustain life forms and transform the biosphere, thereby rendering it suitable and safe for life. 

Currently, there have been about two million species identified on the planet, but the exact number of species is still unknown. It is estimated that there are between five and 100 million living species on Earth. Just in Brazil , there is around 20% of these species, distributed in different ecosystems, such as the Atlantic Forest, the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna), the Caatinga (semi arid region) and the Amazon Forest, the largest rainforest in the world.

On the other hand, Brazil has the highest deforestation rate in the world. As a result, there is increased erosion, endangered streams and air quality, reduced biodiversity, all of which influence climate change and global warming. 

According to the list of Threatened Brazilian Flora and Fauna Species, published in 2008, 627 animal species (130 terrestrial invertebrates, 16 amphibians, 20 reptiles, 160 birds, 69 mammals, 78 aquatic invertebrates and 154 fish) and 472 plant species in Brazil are in danger of extinction.

In addition to its intrinsic value, the planet’s biodiversity has ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic value. Due to its paramount importance, we must prevent its destruction. Preserving the biodiversity requires significant investments in projects, government actions, nongovernmental organizations, enterprises and, especially, the need for each individual’s awareness and action regarding their role in Brazil’s biodiversity conservation, as well as throughout the planet Earth.

  The activities of the Pato Aqui, Água Acolá Project began this month, with the sponsorship of Petrobras, through the Programa Petrobras Ambiental (Petrobras Environmental Program).
 
Since 2001, the Terra Brasilis Institute has carried out operations in the region of Serra da Canastra with the intent of contributing towards the conservation of the Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octosetaceus), a Critically Endangered species. It has since carried out activities related to the biological study of the species, as well as environmental education with the local community, including the dissemination of environmental friendly agricultural practices. 
 
The new phase of the project will continue with these activities and foresees its enlargement. The biological study of the Brazilian Merganser proposes to answer important questions on the biology of the species and this includes: mapping their distribution, capturing and marking the individuals with bands and radio transmitters and tracking by radio telemetry, blood collecting for genetic analysis and study of their reproductive behavior.
 
The environmental education activities will focus on the community of São Roque de Minas, including its districts, as well as the surrounding municipalities, increasing the project’s coverage area.
 
In order to minimize the impacts on the land and water in the region and to encourage protective actions, elucidative examples of riparian vegetation recovery and protective fencing of water springs will be implemented. This amounts to ten hectares of protected area to be monitored, including setting up watering places or troughs for cattle, aiming at disseminating alternatives that prevent the free access to the watercourse. 

All the knowledge generated will be passed on to different target audiences through meetings, lectures, publications, distribution of leaflets, radio programs and through other available channels.