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
🌱

plants

657

657 threatened

🐟

fishes

360

360 threatened

🐦

birds

158

158 threatened

🍄

fungi

87

87 threatened

🦗

insects

86

86 threatened

🐾

mammals

85

85 threatened

🐸

amphibians

84

84 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

49

49 threatened

🐢

reptiles

46

46 threatened

🪸

corals

18

18 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

16

16 threatened

🐚

molluscs

15

15 threatened

🕷️

arachnids

2

2 threatened

Global Share

2.98%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#16

of 253 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 harvesting704 species
2.Annual & perennial non-timber crops659 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 on SpeciesRadar — 362 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does BR have?
Of the 1,663 threatened species in BR, 362 are Critically Endangered, 543 are Endangered, and 758 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in BR?
Among the 362 Critically Endangered species in BR, Atlantic Helicopter (Platystigma pronoti) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in BR?
BR has 56 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Caatinga, Central Amazon, Cerrado, and Mata Atlântica, among 52 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in BR?
The most affected groups in BR, by number of threatened species, are plants (657), fishes (360), and birds (158). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in BR?
The leading threats to threatened species in BR are logging & wood harvesting, annual & perennial non-timber crops, housing & urban areas, and livestock farming & ranching. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in BR?
BR has 808 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of BR's threatened species have declining populations?
875 of BR's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does BR compare to other countries for threatened species?
BR ranks #16 of 253 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 2.98% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for BR come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the BR profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.