Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica)

The forest is renowned for its extraordinary levels of endemism, meaning many of its species are found nowhere else on Earth. It is home to approximately 20,000 plant species, with estimates of endemism ranging from 40 percent to 50 percent. Among vertebrates, the forest supports over 2,000 species, including iconic animals like the golden lion tamarin, the maned three-toed sloth, and various species of monkeys. Research indicates that over 52 percent of tree species and up to 92 percent of amphibians in the region are endemic. Historical estimates of the forest's original extent vary, with some sources citing over 1 million square kilometers and others noting it covered approximately 330 million acres. Today, the remaining forest cover is significantly reduced and highly fragmented. Sources provide different figures for the remaining intact forest, with some reporting as little as 7 percent, while others estimate approximately 12.4 percent or 24 percent, depending on the criteria used for defining mature and well-preserved forest. Approximately 97 percent of the remaining forest fragments are smaller than 50 hectares, which limits the ability of the ecosystem to support large predators and maintain natural ecological processes. The region is the most densely populated area in South America, housing approximately 150 million people and supporting a large portion of the economy in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. This intense human presence, characterized by agriculture, urbanization, and industrial development, has driven the forest's decline. Ongoing threats include illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development, which continue to degrade the remaining patches. To address this loss, large-scale restoration efforts are underway, such as the Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact, which involves hundreds of organizations working to reconnect forest fragments through biological corridors. These initiatives aim to protect water supplies, sequester carbon, and provide habitat for threatened wildlife. The goal is to restore 1 million hectares by 2030 and 15 million hectares by 2050, marking a significant commitment to reversing the degradation of this vital biome.