The Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica)
The Atlantic Forest is a terrestrial biome and region which extends along the Atlantic coast of Brazil from Rio Grande do Norte state in the north to Rio Grande do Sul state in the south, and inland as far as Paraguay and the Misiones Province of Argentina. It originally had an area close to 580,000 sq miles (371 million acres). Currently, only about 7% of it remains (most of which consists of isolated fragmented patches), hence its designation as a biodiversity hotspot (watch this 5 minute video to understand what a biodiversity hotspot is). The Atlantic forest is considered the second most threatened biome on the planet. The massive destruction of the Atlantic Forest has been described as "one of the biological tragedies of this century" and preventing more loss of the rainforest is a priority for international conservation efforts. This is complicated by the fact that large sections of the forest are privately owned and therefore under threat for forest clearing for coffee plantations, cattle ranching and logging for hardwoods. Other human pressures include fire (from debris left behind by logging) and hunting. Species extinction in the area is driven by habitat loss and fragmentation caused by a myriad of human activities.
Approximately 40% of the vascular plants and up 60% of the vertebrates in the Atlantic forest are endemic species. The official threatened species list of Brazil contains over 140 terrestrial mammal species found in Atlantic Forest. More than 11,000 species of plants and animals are considered threatened today in the Atlantic Forest. About 250 species of amphibians, birds, and mammals have become extinct due to the result of human activity in the past 400 years.
More strikingly, about half of the tree species and close to 92% of the amphibian population are endemic to this area. The forest is so rich that it contains approximately 20,000 species of plants, with almost 200 tree species being found in just one acre.
More strikingly, about half of the tree species and close to 92% of the amphibian population are endemic to this area. The forest is so rich that it contains approximately 20,000 species of plants, with almost 200 tree species being found in just one acre.
Interesting videos about the Atlantic Forest
1. The tree industry and the restoration of the Atlantic (8 mins)
2. Cacao production the the Atlantic (20 mins)
3. The destruction of the Atlantic forest (3 mins)
4. 11 must see mammals of the Atlantic rainforest (2 mins)
5. Tropical rainforests, IMAX (7 mins)
6. The Atlantic Forest Agroecology for Ecological Economics Conference (8 mins)
2. Cacao production the the Atlantic (20 mins)
3. The destruction of the Atlantic forest (3 mins)
4. 11 must see mammals of the Atlantic rainforest (2 mins)
5. Tropical rainforests, IMAX (7 mins)
6. The Atlantic Forest Agroecology for Ecological Economics Conference (8 mins)
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