The Cerrado is a Brazilian savannah that is home to 12,000 plant species, 935 bird species and 300 species of mammals. This unique, diverse and highly threatened ecosystem plays and important role in carbon cycling and serves as the headwaters for many rivers in Amazonia. Between 2002 and 2008 more than 21,000 hectares per year have been destroyed representing an annual rate of loss that is twice that of the more highly publicized rainforest deforestation. The damage to the grasslands and forests have resulted in greenhouse gas emmissions that are equal to that originating from the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Currently, only 7.5% of the Cerrado is under protection