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FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

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SDG 15 Life on Land

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SDG 15 Life on Land

Bromeliads promote plant diversity in the forest by enriching the soil with nutrients
SDG 15
Bromeliads promote plant diversity in the forest by enriching the soil with nutrients

Water accumulated in the tanks of these plants living high up in trees has much higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron than rainwater. Plants irrigated with this nutrient-rich water produced almost twice as many leaves.


Bromeliads promote plant diversity in the forest by enriching the soil with nutrients
SDG 15
Bromeliads promote plant diversity in the forest by enriching the soil with nutrients

Water accumulated in the tanks of these plants living high up in trees has much higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron than rainwater. Plants irrigated with this nutrient-rich water produced almost twice as many leaves.


Parasitic fungus may have emerged 18 million years before the ants with which it lives today
SDG 15
Parasitic fungus may have emerged 18 million years before the ants with which it lives today

Analysis of 309 strains collected in eight countries indicates that the genus Escovopsis emerged 56.9 million years ago, but only began interacting with today’s mutualistic ants 38 million years ago, challenging the theory that they all emerged at the same time.


Parasitic fungus may have emerged 18 million years before the ants with which it lives today
SDG 15
Parasitic fungus may have emerged 18 million years before the ants with which it lives today

Analysis of 309 strains collected in eight countries indicates that the genus Escovopsis emerged 56.9 million years ago, but only began interacting with today’s mutualistic ants 38 million years ago, challenging the theory that they all emerged at the same time.


Data from the largest mapping of microorganisms associated with rupestrian grassland plants have been released
SDG 2, SDG 15
Data from the largest mapping of microorganisms associated with rupestrian grassland plants have been released

A study has identified more than 257,000 species of bacteria and archaea in velozias, which are plants that thrive in extreme environments of drought, heat, and poor soil, such as this mountainous savannah ecoregion. The results could guide conservation initiatives and biotechnological solutions for soil management in arid conditions.


Extinct species of rocket frog described based on a single specimen kept for 62 years
SDG 15
Extinct species of rocket frog described based on a single specimen kept for 62 years

The dried specimen of the amphibian, collected by herpetologist Doris Cochran in 1963 in what is now a residential neighborhood of Curitiba, Brazil, is stored in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in the United States.


Extinct species of rocket frog described based on a single specimen kept for 62 years
SDG 15
Extinct species of rocket frog described based on a single specimen kept for 62 years

The dried specimen of the amphibian, collected by herpetologist Doris Cochran in 1963 in what is now a residential neighborhood of Curitiba, Brazil, is stored in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in the United States.


Study shows limits of and proposes alternatives for the functional restoration of the Atlantic Forest
SDG 13, SDG 15
Study shows limits of and proposes alternatives for the functional restoration of the Atlantic Forest

The research used network theory to analyze the ecological connectivity of 28 areas in the northwest of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.


Study maps priority areas to reduce macaw deaths from electric shock
SDG 15
Study maps priority areas to reduce macaw deaths from electric shock

At least 35 individuals of the endangered Lear's macaw have been killed by electrocution in the semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil, in 2025. Replacing 10% of the riskiest poles could prevent 80% of these deaths.


Brazilian startup aims to reforest one million hectares in the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon
SDG 13, SDG 15
Brazilian startup aims to reforest one million hectares in the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon

One way Re.green compensates its investors is by selling carbon credits sequestered by restored areas. The calculation methodology is based on the results of a project supported by FAPESP.


Malaria risk in the Amazon is higher in regions with intermediate forest degradation
SDG 3, SDG 13, SDG 15
Malaria risk in the Amazon is higher in regions with intermediate forest degradation

Research shows that areas with 50% deforestation near residential areas or fragmented vegetation allow greater contact between mosquitoes and humans. Amid the discussions for COP30, the study helps us understand the link between forest destruction and the spread of the disease.


Palm trees are the Amazon’s ‘water tanks’
SDG 13, SDG 15
Palm trees are the Amazon’s ‘water tanks’

The plant family can store twice as much water as trees such as ipê, mahogany, and eucalyptus, according to a study conducted at São Paulo State University. Preliminary results were presented during the Brazil-France 2025 Forum “Forests, Biodiversity, and Human Societies”.


The largest primate in the Americas could lose up to 61% of its climatically suitable habitat by 2090
SDG 15
The largest primate in the Americas could lose up to 61% of its climatically suitable habitat by 2090

Study predicts that the two species of muriquis will be restricted mainly to coastal regions of the Atlantic Forest, leaving populations in the interior seriously at risk.


Ants defend plants from herbivores but can hinder pollination
SDG 15
Ants defend plants from herbivores but can hinder pollination

Analysis of the interaction between ants, plants that secrete sweet substances to attract them, “interested” in defending themselves from leaf-eating animals, and bees indicates that the ants may scare away pollinators. Butterflies, on the other hand, are not bothered.


Cerrado wetlands are legally protected but neglected in practice
SDG 6, SDG 13, SDG 15
Cerrado wetlands are legally protected but neglected in practice

Non-compliance with the law, facilitated by errors in the technical language used in environmental licensing, has already led to the loss of over 580,000 hectares of native vegetation, 61% of which has been converted for agricultural use.


Book brings together decades of research on the role of fire in South American ecosystems
SDG 13, SDG 15
Book brings together decades of research on the role of fire in South American ecosystems

Unpublished work organized by researchers from São Paulo State University and the University of São Paulo discusses the influence of fires on the ecological dynamics of nine large South American biomes.


Global study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature
SDG 15
Global study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature

A survey of 119 regions around the world investigated “missing diversity,” or native species that could be present in a given area but were absent. The results were published in the journal Nature.


Article presents the first soil health map of Latin America and the Caribbean
SDG 13, SDG 15
Article presents the first soil health map of Latin America and the Caribbean

Countries such as Colombia and Venezuela lead the way in terms of the extent of healthy soils, while regions such as the Brazilian Northeast, northern Mexico and parts of Chile and Argentina face the greatest challenges. The data can guide public policies for conservation.


Decline of seed-dispersing animals hinders fight against climate change
SDG 13, SDG 15
Decline of seed-dispersing animals hinders fight against climate change

International team of researchers issues global warning about the need to include frugivores in conservation, forest restoration, and climate change mitigation strategies.


Historical and current population DNA reveals that there are at least 12 species of rocket frogs, three of which are already extinct
SDG 15
Historical and current population DNA reveals that there are at least 12 species of rocket frogs, three of which are already extinct

Researchers at the University of São Paulo extracted genetic material from animals kept in museums for a hundred years and from others living in the wild and concluded that they are a new genus with at least a dozen species. The group is working quickly to identify them all and direct conservation efforts in the Atlantic Forest, where they live.


Reduction in supply of prey was decisive factor in extinction of saber-toothed tigers, study finds
SDG 15
Reduction in supply of prey was decisive factor in extinction of saber-toothed tigers, study finds

Cross-referencing climate data and fossils from around 15 million years ago shows that the decline in prey availability may have played a role in the extinction of these felines. Another study cites competition with elephants and an increase in predators as factors that reduced the once diverse antilocaprids to a single species today.


Forest cover and type of environment shape functional diversity of insectivorous birds in the Atlantic Forest
SDG 15
Forest cover and type of environment shape functional diversity of insectivorous birds in the Atlantic Forest

According to a study conducted by researchers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, more deforested areas have fewer species that are more similar to each other and perform the same ecological functions. The authors say this phenomenon compromises the resilience of the ecosystem.


Study resolves genetic controversy over iconic <i>campos rupestres</i> plant
SDG 2, SDG 13, SDG 15
Study resolves genetic controversy over iconic <i>campos rupestres</i> plant

Researchers at a FAPESP-supported research center have combined innovative techniques to determine the chromosome number of species of the genus Vellozia, typical of this montane savannah ecoregion. The result provides support for conservation programs and biotechnological applications.


Wild parrot species returns to its habitat in Atlantic Rainforest reserve
SDG 15
Wild parrot species returns to its habitat in Atlantic Rainforest reserve

The goal of reintroducing the bird is to restore the original fauna of the forest and its functionality. Supported by FAPESP, the project was presented at the Brazil-France Forum on Forests, Biodiversity, and Human Societies in Paris.


Human pressure most affecting Atlantic Rainforest deer density, study finds
SDG 15
Human pressure most affecting Atlantic Rainforest deer density, study finds

The most robust estimate ever made in the biome shows that hunting, predation by domestic dogs, livestock diseases and competition with wild boars are among the main anthropogenic influences. Scientists used an innovative method involving trained dogs and fecal DNA analysis.


News about research projects funded by FAPESP and articulated with the SDGs: