Pereira, Alexandre de Matos Martins, Damasceno-Junior, Geraldo Alves, Libonati, Renata, Anderson, Liana O., Souza, Allan Henrique de Almeida, Ferreira, Bruno Henrique dos Santos, Nunes, Andre Valle, Siqueira, André Luiz, Guerra, Angelica, Rabelo, Angelo Cipriano Pacelli, Desbiez, Arnaud L.J., Falcette, Arthur Henrique Leite, Garcia, Áurea da Silva, Kellermann, Betina, Oliveira, Bruna Gomes de, Jenkins, Bryony, Peres, Carlos A., Berlinck, Christian Niel, Ribeiro, Danilo Bandini, Scremin-Dias, Edna, Medici, Emilia Patricia, Bolzan, Fabio, Dias, Felipe Augusto, Bao, Francielli, Massocato, Gabriel F., Fernandes, Geraldo Wilson, Schlosser, Jessica, Quintero, Jose Manuel Ochoa, Marcato Junior, José, Fernandes, Julio Francisco Alves, Boock, Julia Corrêa, Garcia, Letícia Couto, Congro, Leonardo Rodrigues, Yule, Tamires Soares, Gomes, Leonardo, Leite, Luciana, Oliveira, Maxwell da Rosa, Gajardo, Osvaldo Barassi, Nicola, Rafaela Danielli, Chiaravalloti, Rafael Morais, Lourival, Reinaldo Francisco Ferreira, Roscoe, Renato, Marçal, Rodolfo Cabral, Villalobos, Roger, Lousada, Romulo, da Silva, Rosa Helena, Toma, Tiago Shizen P., Yule, Márcio Ferreira, Goulart, Fernando Figueiredo, and de Oliveira Roque, Fabio (2025) Catastrophic wildfires in the Pantanal wetlands as catalysts for transformative change. Environmental Science & Policy, 174. 104273.

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Abstract

Catastrophic wildfires, increasingly intensified by climate change and anthropogenic pressures, have emerged as critical drivers of socioecological transformation. This study examines the 2019–2020 wildfires in the Pantanal biome as a case of disruptive change, highlighting their role in catalyzing institutional, technological, scientific, and community-level innovations. Drawing on a transdisciplinary methodology and snowball sampling of key stakeholders, the research identifies rapid shifts in wildfire governance, including the implementation of integrated fire management policies and the establishment of new scientific networks. Technological advancements, such as real-time fire monitoring systems and AI-driven early warning platforms, have enhanced fire detection and response capabilities. Concurrently, community resilience has been bolstered through the formation of local fire brigades, educational initiatives, and restoration programs supported by civil society and governmental actors. These responses reflect a convergence of adaptive and transformative strategies aimed at mitigating future wildfire risks. Despite these advances, sustaining long-term resilience remains contingent upon continued multilevel governance, cross-sectoral collaboration, and financial investment. The Pantanal experience underscores the potential of extreme events to disrupt entrenched systems and foster systemic change. However, it also reveals the complexities of maintaining momentum in the face of escalating climate threats. This analysis contributes to the broader discourse on disaster-induced transformation, emphasizing the need for integrated, inclusive, and anticipatory approaches to environmental governance in fire-prone landscapes.

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