Atlantic Rainforest Brazil – Biodiversity: 264 mammals, 1,000 bird species, more than 750 reptile and amphibian species, 23,000 plant species
Percentage of forest cover: Less than 7 percent of the biome’s original size, with most of the area in small, degraded patches: 80 percent of the remaining ecosystem occurs in patches smaller than half a square kilometer.
Atlantic Rainforest Brazil
Deforestation rate: 277,763 hectares (2,777 square kilometers) of forest were lost between 2000 and 2008. An average loss of 34,720 hectares (347 square kilometers) per year, or 0.35 percent per year.Atlantic Rainforest Brazil
Responsibly Visit The Atlantic Forest Near São Paulo
No major tropical forest ecosystem has been damaged as much as Mata Atlântica, also known as the Atlantic Forest. Encompassing a variety of tropical forest habitats, from dry forests to wet forests and coastal mangroves, Mata Atlântica once stretched up and down the coast of Brazil and covered parts of Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Today, it survives mostly in small degraded areas and protected areas.
Historically, Mata Atlântica was more than 1.2 million square kilometers (about a quarter the size of the Amazon), but after centuries of deforestation due to timber, sugarcane, coffee, cattle ranching, and urban sprawl, Mata Atlântica has shrunk by more than 90 percent. : Today, less than 100,000 square kilometers of forest remain.
Atlantic Rainforest Brazil.
Despite its proximity to the Amazon rainforest, Mata Atlântica has always been isolated from its larger and more famous neighbour. It’s actually older than Amazon. Its isolation from other tropical forests has allowed Mata Atlântica to develop unique ecosystems that are home to a multitude of species found nowhere else on Earth.Atlantic Rainforest Brazil.
Almost Three Quarters Of Brazil’s Population Lives In Its Shrinking Atlantic Forest
Although little remains, Mata Atlântica is no less threatened: logging for tropical forests, urban and rural sprawl, deforestation for agriculture and biofuels, charcoal harvesting, clearing for livestock, hunting and poaching, and many more simple insulation and small size. The increase in forest fragments has brought Mata Atlantic into a real crisis situation.
In recent years, conservation organizations and governments have begun to recognize the importance of Mata Atlantica and the heavy losses it has already suffered. A number of ambitious projects are underway, including the reforestation of large areas of the country, but a milestone in degradation has not yet been reached. To this day, more and more Mata Atlantica disappears every year.Atlantic Rainforest Brazil.
GEOGRAPHY OF MATA ATLANTICA While most of Mata Atlântica is located on the east coast of Brazil, the forest complex also extends into three other countries: Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Mata Atlântica is present in 13 of Brazil’s 26 states, extending from fifty to several hundred kilometers inland and rising to altitudes of up to 2000 metres. It extends to the east of Paraguay, covers part of northeastern Argentina, and extends to the coast of Uruguay. The world’s two largest cities, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, are built on Mata Atlântico. Increasing urban and rural sprawl has also reduced remaining forest areas. BIODIVERSITY PROFILE OF MATA ATLÂNTICA Despite such a small surviving forest, Mata Atlântica remains extremely rich in biodiversity and endemic species, many of which are in danger of extinction. In terms of flora, researchers cataloged more than 23,000 plants, 40 percent of which are native to Mata Atlântica. The region is particularly rich in unique tree species, about half of which are endemic. A study conducted in a one-hectare area in Bahia revealed 450 tree species. As for the fauna, scientists have recorded 264 species of mammals, nearly 1000 birds, 456 amphibians, more than 300 reptiles and 350 freshwater fish. Overall, 31 percent of these are not found anywhere else. Some taxa have greater endemism than others: for example, 61 percent (282 species) of amphibians at Mata Atlântica are found there alone. New species continue to be found at Mata Atlântica; In fact, more than a thousand new flowering plants were discovered between 1990 and 2006. New primate species have even appeared in the region. In 1990, researchers discovered a new monkey: the black-faced lion-faced monkey (Leontopithecus caissara). In 2006, researchers rediscovered the largely forgotten blue-headed capuchin (Cebus flavius), which had not been seen since the 19th century. Sixty percent of Brazil’s threatened species are found in Mata Atlantica. Brazilian conservationist Antonio Rossano Mendes Pontes called the species at Mata Atlântica ‘the living dead’ due to the range of threats and species remaining in small, shrinking patches. Atlantic Rainforest Brazil
The northern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) is classified as critically endangered, and recent research has shown that the monkeys live in an egalitarian social organization largely without hierarchy. The southern muriqui (Brachyteles Hypoxanthus) is considered endangered. Blonde Capuchin: The recently rediscovered blonde capuchin (Cebus flavius) has not been recorded since the 18th century. But researchers found a small population of this species in the center of the Pernambuco endemism in northeastern Brazil. The breed has a tuft of bright blue hair that distinguishes it from other capuchins. It is considered critically endangered. Brazilian arboreal mouse: This species, which disappeared more than 100 years ago, was thought to be extinct until recently when multiple species were identified. In fact, despite being off biologists’ radar for a century, the Brazilian tree shrew (Rhagomys rufescens) is known to inhabit more areas than anyone might expect: It is classified as Near Threatened. However, it is feared that its population will decrease due to deforestation. Maned sloth: The three-toed sloth species native to Mata Atlântica was named this because of its long hair. Due to continued habitat loss, the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) is considered to be in danger of extinction. There are only six species of sloths in the world. Thin-spined hedgehog: The thin-spined hedgehog (Chaetomys subspinosus), thought to be extinct, was rediscovered in 1986. Debate continues regarding its taxonomy: whether the species is more closely related to hedgehogs or spiny mice.
Atlantic Rainforest Brazil..
Brazilian Trench: Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Brazilian merganser (Mergus octosetaceus) is one of the most endangered waterbird species in the world. Pollution and dams are the main threats. Researchers estimate that fewer than 250 species survive. Alagoas Curasow: Currently extinct in the wild, the alagoas curasow (Mitu mitu has not been seen since 1987. However, a captive population survives in Rio de Janeiro, and there is hope that this large, beautiful bird may eventually be reintroduced into the wild) Brazilian Snake-necked Tortoise : It is one of Brazil’s smallest turtles, measuring no more than 8 inches tall. The Brazilian Snake-necked Tortoise (Hydromedusa maximiliani) is Considered Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List Brazilian Golden Frog: The smallest frog in the southern hemisphere All frogs This family, called saddleback frogs, is Mata Atlântica’ It is specific to either. Fortunately, the Brazilian golden frog (Brachycephalus didactylus) is not currently in danger of extinction. INDIGENOUS GROUPS OF MATA ATLÂNTICA Mata Atlântica is home to two indigenous groups: Tupi and Guarani: Today, Tupi survive in small numbers along Brazil’s coast and in the country’s northern highlands. The Tupi population, once the dominant people along Brazil’s coast, may have numbered as many as one million when the Portuguese first arrived. However, with the arrival of Westerners, most of the Tupi were wiped out by disease, war and slavery. The Guarani are closely related to the Tupi but speak a different language. They live in the southern lowlands of Mata Atlântica, which today stretches from Brazil to Paraguay and Argentina. The Guarani language is still widely used in the regions and is the second language of Paraguay. Today, there are 46,000 Guarani living in Brazil, making them the largest tribe in the country, but they are threatened by the vast network of cattle, sugar cane and soybean farming established on their traditional lands. In total, more than 130,000 Tupi and Guarani live in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.
TYPES OF MATA ATLANTICA FORESTS Mangroves: coastal saline tropical forests. According to WWF, there are four separate mangrove zones in Mata Atlântica. Mangroves are considered important buffers for tropical storms and breeding grounds for fish. They also contain highly endemic species. Montana Moist Forests: Moist forests found at high elevations along the mountains and plateaus of southern Brazil. Coastal Resingas: Low-lying forests growing on coastal dunes. Atlantic moist forests: Also known as ‘coastal forests’, they are evergreen tropical forests with a four-layered structure. Semi-deciduous forests: These are forests in the interior where trees shed their leaves during the dry season. Atlantic dry forests: One of the most remote forests in the interior, this forest is the boundary between the cerrado and caatinga scrub. Tropical climate with five dry months. Campo rupestre: Lush meadows at high altitude.Atlantic Rainforest Brazil.
Embauba Tree Atlantic Rainforest Brazil Stock Photo By ©alfribeiro 626899428
Less than 7 percent of Mata Atlântica survives today, and only 3 percent of the forest that once covered the entire coast of Brazil survives. Forest cover is better in other countries: In Argentina, 48 percent of Mata Atlântica forests remain standing. Atlantic Rainforest Brazil
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