Atlantic rainforest or Mata Atlântica
The Atlantic rainforest or Mata Atlântica is a type of vegetation that is found along the Brazilian coast between Rio Grande do Norte and Rio Grande do Sul. This lush vegetation is a result of the rain that is carried by sea winds. Further inland is the Cerrado or the even drying Caatinga that separate the Atlantic rainforest from the other South-American rainforests like the Amazon rainforest. This splendid isolation has resulted in a unique ecosystem with species that are not found elsewhere.
Biodiversity
The Atlantic rainforest is very heterogeneous. The northern border of the Atlantic rainforest is situated in the tropical state Rio Grande do Norte while the southern border is located in the subtropical state of Rio Grande do Sul. In addition to that, there are a number of mountain ranges like the Serra do Mar and the Serra da Mantiqueira that run parallel to the coast, resulting in a range of altitudes and a multitude of micro climates.
Threads and conservation
The coastal regions in which the Atlantic rainforest is located is the same area in which the colonisation of Brazil started. The exploitation of wood was one of the first economical activities of the Portuguese in Brazil. The most important reason for this exploitation was a red dye that was extracted from the Pau-brasil or Brazil wood. This wood was such a large part of the exports in the early stages of colonisation that the Brazil is named after this wood. The majority of the Brazilian population still lives in the coastal region where only small parts of original vegetation is left.
Although only a small part of the Atlantic rainforests remains, the tide seems to turn. The Brazilian government has declared that the Pau-brasil is the national tree of Brazil. Many remaining areas are now protected.
See also
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