The Cerrado, Brazil’s second-largest biome and a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, faces unprecedented challenges from land-use change and climate change. These pressures are driving shifts in fire regimes that negatively impact biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and the resilience of this fire-adapted savanna. Understanding and addressing these complex dynamics requires a holistic, multi-disciplinary, and multi-scale approach that integrates ecological, technological, and socio-economic perspectives.

This symposium aims to advance our understanding of Cerrado fire ecology and conservation by presenting cutting-edge scientific research that spans multiple disciplines and scales. It will explore the drivers, patterns, and consequences of altered fire regimes, examining their effects on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and biogeochemical cycles. By linking local-scale studies, such as the impacts of fire on plant physiology, fitness, and community structure, with landscape and biome-scale patterns revealed through remote sensing and modeling, this session seeks to bridge knowledge gaps and inform actionable conservation strategies.

A special focus of this symposium will be the development and application of innovative methods, including field-based empirical research, experimental manipulations like prescribed burns, and advanced remote sensing technologies. These tools allow for a deeper understanding of post-fire dynamics, long-term ecological responses, and the socio-ecological drivers that shape fire regimes. The symposium will also emphasize the importance of integrating these findings into broader frameworks for predicting and mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic and climate-driven changes.

By synthesizing cutting-edge research and identifying priorities for future studies, this symposium aspires to provide a foundation for an integrated research framework that supports sustainable management and conservation of the Cerrado. With its multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach, this session offers valuable insights for ATBC attendees from diverse backgrounds, including ecology, conservation, remote sensing, and policy. We believe that participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how multi-scale research can enhance conservation efforts and promote the resilience of this iconic savanna ecosystem.