THE Atlantic forestgets its name because it is located in the area closest to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the third largest biome in Brazil and is characterized by its high biodiversity, despite its territory having been largely destroyed.
It is in the territory of the Atlantic Forest that most of the Brazilian population lives, with about 115 million people, which corresponds to 61% of the inhabitants of Brazil. These data are from the Demographic Census carried out by the IBGE in 2010.
It is estimated that 96% of its original area has already been deforested, leaving a few stretches divided into small parts and environmental reserves. There are, in total, 799 conservation units.
Note on the map the difference between the Forest that existed before the remaining forest *
Even so, the diversity of animals that make up its fauna is impressive, with about 1300 species registered. Most of these species are endemic, that is, they are found only in the Atlantic Forest, not existing anywhere else in the world. Its flora is also quite diverse.
Many of them are threatened with extinction, as their natural environment was practically completely destroyed. Among the most threatened species are the Golden Lion Tamarin, the otter, the jaguar and many others.
Golden lion tamarin, one of the endangered species
There are several indigenous tribes that inhabit the Atlantic Forest region, among them, the best known are: Pataxó, Guarani Kaiowa and Tupiniquim.
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* Image source: INPE/SOS Mata Atlântica (Atlas of Forest Remnants of the Atlantic Forest, 2011).
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