Introduction: The Brazilian Atlantic Forest1
- 1 January 2000
- journal article
- Published by Association for Tropical Biology in Biotropica
Abstract
The year 2000 marks 500 years of massive destruction for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, as a consequence of the European colonization of Brazil. Today, the Atlantic Forest is restricted to ca 98,800 km2 of remnants, or 7.6 percent of its original extension. The Atlantic Forest continues to suffer under severe anthropogenic pressure, risking imminent extinction of the remaining species. Our current knowledge indicates that this complex biome contains a species diversity higher than most of the Amazon forests, and also has high levels of endemism. The 13 selected articles in this special issue present data on the natural history, ecology, sustainable management, and conservation of the Atlantic Forest. These articles represent a sample of the research conducted to date in the region and suggest avenues of future research, particularly with regard to conservation alternatives for the remaining portions of the Atlantic Forest. This special issue represents one of the first general references pertaini... RESUMO O ano 2000 marca 500 anos de intensa destruição da Mata Atlântica, como conseqüência da colonização européia no Brasil. Hoje, a Mata Atlântica está restrita a aproximadamente 98.000 km2 de remanescentes, ou 7,6% de sua extensão original, e os últimos remanescentes de floresta ainda encontram-se sob intensa pressão antrópica e risco iminente de extinção. De acordo com o nível atual de conhecimento, este bioma complexo contem maior diversidade de espécies que a maioria das formações florestais amazônicas, bem como níveis elevados de endemismo. Os treze artigos selecionados para este fascículo especial apresentam dados sobre história natural, ecologia, manejo sustentado e conservação da Mata Atlântica. Estes artigos representam uma amostragem das pesquisas realizadas na região, sugerindo possibilidades de estudos futuros e discutindo alternativas para a conservação. Este fascículo especial corresponde a uma das primeiras referências gerais sobre a Mata Atlântica brasileira.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Patterns of Floristic Differentiation among Atlantic Forests in Southeastern Brazil and the Influence of Climate1Biotropica, 2000
- Phenology of Atlantic Rain Forest Trees: A Comparative Study1Biotropica, 2000
- The Avifauna of Rio Doce Valley, Southeastern Brazil, a Highly Fragmented Area1Biotropica, 2000
- Biogeography of South American Forest Mammals: Endemism and Diversity in the Atlantic Forest1Biotropica, 2000
- Reproductive Modes of Atlantic Forest Hylid Frogs: A General Overview and the Description of a New Mode1Biotropica, 2000
- Frugivory by Toucans (Ramphastidae) at Two Altitudes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil1Biotropica, 2000
- Hummingbird‐Pollinated Floras at Three Atlantic Forest Sites1Biotropica, 2000
- Patch Structure within Brazilian Atlantic Forest Fragments and Implications for Conservation1Biotropica, 2000
- Management and Conservation of Natural Populations in Atlantic Rain Forest: The Case Study of Palm Heart (Euterpe edulis Martius)1Biotropica, 2000
- Distribution Patterns and Conservation of Eastern Brazilian Coastal Forest Tree SpeciesBrittonia, 1981