Texto
Uploaded by
Bela cavalcantiTexto
Uploaded by
Bela cavalcantiMata Atlântica
Jailson - Introduction
The Atlantic Forest stands out for its great biodiversity and its endemic species,
such as the golden lion tamarin.
The Atlantic Forest is a biome, made up of different plant formations and
associated ecosystems, which stands out for its great biodiversity, including, for
example, several endemic species (which only occur in this region). Today, due to a
series of factors, which include, for example, human activity, according to the SOS
Mata Atlântica Foundation, only 12.4% of the forest that originally existed
remains.
Arthur - Geography
The Atlantic forest is considered one of the richest biomes on the planet, that is,
with the greatest biodiversity, being the second largest forest in Brazil, behind
only the Amazon.
Made up of plateaus and mountains, its striking forest presence is on the
Brazilian coast.
It covers around 15% of the national territory, in 17 states, ranging from Rio
Grande do Sul to Piauí. It is home to 72% of Brazilians and accounts for 80% of the
national GDP.
It is estimated that currently around 200,205 km² remain.
It houses seven of the nine largest river basins in Brazil, such as: Paraná,
Uruguay, Paraíba do Sul, Doce, Jequitinhonha and São Francisco. Currently, more
than 100 million Brazilians benefit from the waters that originate in the Atlantic
Forest and that form several rivers that supply Brazilian cities and metropolises.
Pedro Lemos - Vegetation
According to data from the Ministry of the Environment, in the Atlantic Forest
there are approximately 20,000 plant species corresponding to more than 35% of the
species existing in Brazil, a dense and closed forest. It represents the greatest
diversity of trees per unit area in the world.
Unfortunately, of the approximately 200 species of plants threatened with
extinction in Brazil, 117 belong to the Atlantic Forest, such as brazilwood and
araucaria, which illustrates very well the risk that the biome suffers.
Some species of its vegetation are endemic, that is, they only occur there, such as
brazilwood, and the region also has many medicinal plants such as maracujá-doce,
pimenta-rosa, pitanga, pata-de-vaca, goiabeira, among others.
Matheus - Wildlife
It has a great biodiversity of animals, it is a vegetation made up of an incredible
849 species of birds, 370 species of amphibians, 270 species of mammals and 350
species of fish. What is most impressive, however, is the enormous number of
endemic species, which only exist in this region, such as the papo-branco and
Harpia. Numerous species that Live in the atlantic Forest are at risk of
extinction, of the 202 animal species considered oficcially threatened with
extinction in Brazil, 171 were from the Atlantic Forest, examples are the bugio and
murucututu because of the deforestation and fires that occur in the region, but the
government tries to prevent it with environmental reserves and charity groups.
Aninha - Importance and climate
Among the economic uses of the Atlantic Forest are ecological tourism and medicinal
plants (most of which have not been studied), such as espinheira-santa and caixeta.
The climate of the Atlantic Forest is predominantly humid tropical, influenced by
humid air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
Its average temperatures and air humidity are high throughout the year and rainfall
is regular and well distributed. Due to its biodiversity, the biome is home to
several indigenous communities, some of which are Caiová, Guarani, Kaingang, among
others, who benefit from natural resources.
Davi - Problems
The biggest problems that the Atlantic forest suffers are deforestation, fires and
the extinction of some animals. The Atlantic Forest once covered around 12% of the
national territory. Today, only around 7% of the original forest cover remains.
Among the main causes of deforestation in this biome are the extraction of natural
resources, the fires that are getting worse. Last year, the fire reached around 2.8
million hectares, in addition, the advance of urbanization, also its reduction in
territory is due to the predatory extraction of brazilwood, it was the first
resource transformed into economic activity by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Large areas were burned to plant sugar cane and coffee.
Isabela - Curiosities
Did you know that May 27th is National Atlantic Forest Day? It aims to raise
awareness among the population about the importance of this biome for biodiversity
and the quality of life of people in these regions.
The Federal Constitution recognized the Atlantic Forest as a natural heritage of
Brazil in 1988.
In 2006, the Atlantic Forest gained a specific law (law nº 11,428) that establishes
rules on the use and conservation of its native vegetation with the aim of
preserving the area.
Another curiosity is that the area is home to the Itatiaia national park,
considered the first national park in Brazil.