BR

BR

1,663 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

1,663

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

362

Highest risk

Endangered

543

Very high risk

Vulnerable

758

High risk

Declining

53%

875 species

Category Breakdown
CR 362
EN 543
VU 758
CR: 362
EN: 543
VU: 758

Critically Endangered

36222%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

54333%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

75846%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 1,663 species

Species by Group
🐾

mammals

85

85 threatened

🐦

birds

158

158 threatened

🐢

reptiles

46

46 threatened

🐸

amphibians

84

84 threatened

🐟

fishes

360

360 threatened

🦗

insects

86

86 threatened

🌱

plants

657

657 threatened

Global Share

3.04%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#16

of 277 countries

Endemic Threatened

808

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Brazil harbors the world's largest tropical rainforest and most biodiverse ecosystems, spanning the Amazon Basin, Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), Cerrado savanna, Pantanal wetlands, and Caatinga dry forests. The country contains approximately 60% of the Amazon rainforest and hosts an estimated 15-20% of global biodiversity. According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all 73 assessed species are critically endangered, representing a biodiversity crisis of unprecedented scale.

The Amazon faces severe deforestation pressure from cattle ranching, soy cultivation, and infrastructure development, while the Atlantic Forest retains only 12% of original coverage due to urbanization and agriculture. The Cerrado experiences rapid conversion for agribusiness, losing native vegetation faster than the Amazon. Illegal mining in indigenous territories, particularly affecting the Yanomami lands, compounds habitat destruction.

Climate change intensifies drought cycles, increasing wildfire frequency across multiple biomes. Brazil's environmental policies have fluctuated significantly, with recent years showing both protective measures and regulatory rollbacks. The situation remains highly dynamic, with conservation outcomes closely tied to political leadership and international pressure.

Indigenous territories serve as crucial biodiversity refuges, covering 13% of national territory and maintaining some of the best-preserved ecosystems.

Amazon RainforestAtlantic ForestCerrado SavannaPantanal WetlandsCaatinga Dry ForestCoastal Marine Ecosystems
Top Threats
1.Logging & wood harvesting703 species
2.Annual & perennial non-timber crops658 species
3.Housing & urban areas433 species
4.Livestock farming & ranching403 species
5.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources328 species
6.Mining & quarrying269 species
7.Habitat shifting & alteration209 species
8.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases208 species

Protected Areas

56 areas · 1,511,274 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). BR: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/BR

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in BR?
BR has 1,663 threatened species recorded in the SpeciesRadar database — 362 of those are Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
What is the most endangered species in BR?
Among the 362 Critically Endangered species in BR, Exaerete smaragdina is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of CR species is filterable on the country page.
What protected areas exist in BR?
BR has 56 protected areas catalogued in SpeciesRadar, sourced from WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Caatinga, Central Amazon, Cerrado, Mata Atlântica, Pantanal and 51 others.