The Atlantic Rainforest – a diverse variety of rare plants and animals
The Atlantic Rainforest once covered vast areas of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Today, this tropical/subtropical ecosystem remains one of the most biodiverse, species-rich, but also one of the most endangered tropical forests. Its diversity also stems from its wide expanse across hilly to mountainous terrain, spanning different elevations and latitudes: Near the coast, you find the deciduous tropical rainforests, mountain rainforests, and mist forests with cloud and fog forests. To the south, the forest transitions into subtropical rainforests and laurel forests with Araucaria trees.
This so-called Mata Atlântica was formed 6 million years ago and is one of the oldest land habitats still in existence.
A Marvelous Plant World Across Multiple Levels
Due to the abundant rainfall, especially along the mountain slopes, there is dense vegetation. Trees reaching up to 60 meters in height form a dense green canopy, creating a moist and shady microclimate underneath. On several levels, various special types of plants grow. It is estimated that, together with insects, there are around 1.6 million different species. Many of these are found only in the Mata Atlântica, such as over half of the tree species, some of which can live for several hundred years. In one hectare, there can be up to 450 different species of trees. By comparison, Switzerland has around 50 native tree species in total. The area is also home to typical hanging vines, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and mosses.
The Mata Atlântica is the basis of existence for endangered animals
This dense jungle is home to many different large mammals such as lowland tapirs, white-bearded peccaries, capybaras, brown howler monkeys, crested capuchins, southern tamanduas, great anteaters, ocelots, southern tiger cats, jaguarundis, forest dogs, coatis, crabeater raccoons, big-tailed lemurs, giant otters and South American otters. 39 per cent of the mammals are only found in the Atlantic rainforest. The Mata Atlântica is home to hundreds of bird species, various reptile and amphibian species and countless different butterflies.
The Atlantic Forest is also home to numerous rare and sometimes endangered animals. This includes the jaguar. After its population in the border area between Brazil and Argentina had shrunk to around 50 adult animals, the Fundación Vida Silvestre – the Argentinian WWF organisation – now estimates that the population has returned to 250 individuals. However, the largest feline predator in South America is still highly endangered. Its prey is becoming fewer and fewer due to illegal poaching. In addition, the jaguar is illegally killed by cattle breeders because the big cat kills calves and cattle on the cleared areas.
