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~Brazil as a whole is the world’s leader in primate diversity, with 77 species and subspecies identified to date. Of these, 26 are found in the Atlantic forest, of which 21 are found nowhere else in the world.
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~In order to build forest corridors it is necessary to first identify key areas for biodiversity conservation, then re-establish connection among isolated forest patches through creating public and private protected areas and restoring deforested zones.

~Yet, to develop viable Atlantic Forest corridors, the needs of people living in the region cannot be ignored. Development of economic alternatives that are compatible with forest protection is imperative.

~In order to create these enormous forest corridors, the Conservancy’s Atlantic Forest Conservation Program is implementing strategies that fall into tightly integrated strategies:

~The creation and effective conservation of public protected areas
~The creation of private reserves
~The restoration of degraded forests
~The implementation of Water Producer Programs

~Less than 2% of the whole biome is under protected status

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Conservation International: Biodiversity Hotspots - Atlantic Forest:
www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/atlantic_forest/Pages/default.aspx

Earthwatch Institute - Latin America Regional Climate Centre:
www.earthwatch.org/europe/rcc_latinamerica

The Nature Conservancy: www.nature.org/wherewework/southamerica/brazil/work/art5080.html

Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA): www.regua.co.uk/

SOS Mata Atlântica: www.sosmatatlantica.org.br/

World Land Trust: www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/brazil.htm

WWF: Atlantic Forests: wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/atlantic_forests.cfm

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The Mata Atlantica holds an immense amount of animal life.  As of current, 264 different mammal species, almost 1,000 birds, 456 amphibians, over 300 reptiles and 350 freshwater fish call this area their home.  Brazil is known to be the world leader in primate diversity and two standout endemic primate species are the Lion Tamarins and the Muriqui or woolly spider monkey.  New species are continuously being found in the Mata Atlantica as research methods become increasingly more advanced.

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Tree and Landscape Company | Jackson Hole

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Last month we introduced the Atlantic forest of Brazil (Mata Atlantica) to our readers by briefly touching on the subject.

This region is considered to be the most threatened ecosystem in the world despite being a global hotspot for biodiversity. This month we will be taking a deeper look into the biodiversity of the Mata Atlantica, a region with similar biodiversity to that of the Amazon. The high biodiversity in the Atlantic forest is directly correlated to the vast environmental variation and elevation variation in the region.

Biodiversity

The Atlantic Forest is a global conservation priority due to the diverse plant and animal life that reside there. Despite only containing 7% of it's original size, the Mata Atlantica remains rich in its plant and animal population, with many species threatened with extinction. The Atlantic Forest holds many endemic species that would disappear with the obliteration of the forest.

Plants

The amount of plant life in the Atlantic forest of Brazil in astounding with 8% of the worlds plant species being found here. Researchers in the area have found over 23,000 species of plant life, with around 9,200 being endemic to the area. Researchers in the area have also found a record number of unique tree species throughout the forest.

Animals

The Mata Atlantica holds an immense amount of animal life. As of current, 264 different mammal species, almost 1,000 birds, 456 amphibians, over 300 reptiles and 350 freshwater fish call this area their home. Brazil is known to be the world leader in primate diversity and two standout endemic primate species are the Lion Tamarins and the Muriqui or woolly spider monkey. New species are continuously being found in the Mata Atlantica as research methods become increasingly more advanced.

Threats to Plants/Animals

Deforestation- removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use

Poaching and Animal Trading- illegal hunting and sale of animals

Firewood Harvesting- removal of trees to use as fuel in residential applications

Urban Expansion and Industrialization- the uncontrolled spread of urban development into the region as well as an increase in human presence

Intensive Land Use- land which is managed and controlled by human activity, cold be agriculture or building development

Logging- the activity or business of felling trees and cutting and preparing the timber

Conclusion

The efforts taken by all to restore the Atlantic Forest of Brazil will in turn create a better chance of survival for all of the forests inhabitants. Without our help, all species living in the Mata Atlantica are at risk of becoming extinct. The Mata Alantica is a forest that has many factors against it, but with better conservation, law enforcement, and increased environmental awareness, the Atlantic Forest of Brazil will be around for many years to come.
Click Here to Make a Donation Today!!!!

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The Atlantic Forest of Brazil- Biodiversity

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Last month we introduced the Atlantic forest of Brazil (Mata Atlantica) to our readers by briefly touching on the subject. This region is considered to be the most threatened ecosystem in the world despite being a global hotspot for biodiversity.

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The Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest is not only one of the most biologically important ecosystems in the world, it is also one of the most endangered rainforests. It houses an impressive variety of species - some 450 different trees can be found in only one hectare for example - and hosts animals and plants found nowhere else. Over 90% of all amphibians and 50% of all plants found in the forest are endemic, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else.

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Where on earth is Paraná?
The "selva parananese" or Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest stretches across the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Today, most of the forest is found in the province of Misiones in northern Argentina. The area is one of WWF's 200 ecoregions of global importance. Argentina alone is home to 8 of these regions.

Species: What roams the land
The Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest is not only one of the most biologically important ecosystems in the world, it is also one of the most endangered rainforests. It houses an impressive variety of species - some 450 different trees can be found in only one hectare for example - and hosts animals and plants found nowhere else. Over 90% of all amphibians and 50% of all plants found in the forest are endemic, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else.

Diversity levels for a variety of taxa are comparable to other tropical forests regions harboring extraordinary diversity including the Western Arc forests of the Amazon and northern Borneo among others. Many of these unique species however - such as the tamarin, seven-coloured tanager or the largest cat in the Americas: the jaguar - are in imminent danger of extinction.

Threats: Species pushed to the brink...
The forest and its inhabitants face many threats. First and foremost, trees are being felled to make room for agriculture, livestock and roads. As a result, forest cover today is a mere fraction of what it used to be. It is also a lot more fragmented, meaning that wildlife has less space to move around and is in greater danger from hunting and trade.

Another pressing problem is the lack of data available about the ecosystem. Few studies have been carried out in the area and still very little is known about its species and their habits.

Given the high levels of local richness and endemism and the extensive loss of natural habitat - over 95 per cent in many areas - the probability of species extinctions is high for this ecoregion without intensive conservation efforts. Relatively extensive, but generally unprotected blocks of forest remain in the southern portion of the ecoregion, particularly in Argentina and Paraguay.
More details on the Atlantic Forest

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Where on earth is Paraná? The "selva parananese" or Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest stretches across the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Today, most of the forest is found in the province of Misiones in northern Argentina. The area is one of WWF's 200 ecoregions of global importance.

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The Atlantic forest is one of the most diverse and biologically rich forests in the world, but also one of the most highly threatened, with only around 8% of its original cover remaining.

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Long isolated from other major rainforest blocks in South America, the Atlantic Forest has a diverse and unique mix of vegetation and forest types.