Legally protected, practically overlooked: The neglect of diffuse seeps in the conservation of Cerrado non-floodplain wetlands

Brazil stands out globally for legally protecting seeps (olhos d’água, in Portuguese) — defined as natural outcrops of the water table, even if intermittent — as Permanent Preservation Areas. However, this protection does not extend to non-floodplain wetlands, such as campos úmidos and campos de murundus, which are formed by diffuse seeps and play critical roles in regulating the hydrological cycle and storing carbon. These ecosystems are frequently excluded from conservation efforts due to the lack of clear terminology connecting scientific understanding with legal definitions. In the Cerrado, where diffuse seeps are essential for water security, this disconnect hinders effective protection. Drawing on Brazil’s existing legal framework, we argue that recognizing non-floodplain wetlands as seep-formed ecosystems would strengthen conservation and enforcement. We urge scientists, landowners, environmental consultants and government agencies to adopt the term “seeps” when describing these wetlands, ensuring they are recognized as Permanent Preservation Areas under current legislation.