By Andrea Welsh
Brasilia - A number of animal and plant species in Brazil could die out as rising world temperatures cause more droughts, disease and rain storms in areas like the Pantanal wetlands and Amazon rain forest, according to studies released on Tuesday.
"All our efforts to protect our biodiversity could be lost," Environment Minister Marina Silva said at an event to publicise the new research coordinated by the ministry and carried out by university, private and government scientists.
Brazil is believed to be home to roughly a fifth of all plant and animal species and the government has invested $142-million since 2003 to preserve vast swathes of land in areas like the Amazon, Environmental Secretary Joao Capobianco said.
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But rising global temperatures could undermine conservation efforts.
The broadest study, conducted by Brazilian space agency INPE, found that temperatures in the Amazon - the world's largest remaining tropical rain forest - could rise as much 8°C this century.
Other studies predicted fish species could die out if rising ocean levels flood southern islands and estuaries with salt water. Further inland, the Pantanal wetlands could dry up and turn to savannah as hotter temperatures affect rains.
Prime agricultural areas in southern and south-eastern Brazil are already suffering more intense downpours after temperatures rose almost 1°C in the last century, the INPE study said.
Extreme weather events could increase in general, INPE said, citing the example of Hurricane Catarina. Catarina became the first hurricane to form off Brazil's coast in at least half a century - more than a year before Katrina flooded the US city of New Orleans.
Brazil's human population could also suffer if warmer weather accelerates mosquito breeding cycles, increasing the chances of disease outbreaks like malaria and dengue.
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