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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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MATA ATLÂNTICA (INCLUDING SAO PAULO CITY GREEN BELT) |
 © Photo: R.A. Mittermeier |
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| General Description | The Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve established in 1992, is the pioneer of the Brazilian biosphere reserves. It covers important portions of the Atlantic Forest of 14 states, the State of Minas Gerais and 13 coastal states (from Ceará to Rio Grande do Sul), including the São Paulo City Green Belt. The remnants of Atlantic Forest are associated with relevant secondary forests, this forming an unique ecosystem stretching along a distance of more than 3,000 km parallel to the coast, comprising Serra Mantiqueira, Serra Geral and Serra do Mar. These very rare Atlantic Forest remnants and associated ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marsh scrublands as well as sand spits and upland grasslands are under pressure from the highest populated areas in the country. In order to respond to the special need for large-scale ecosystem conservation and management, a wide range of management, scientific and community organizations have joined together in setting up the Mata Atlántica Biosphere Reserve system. Almost all States participating already have state-level committees. The main aim is to conserve and restore ecological corridors as well as significant portions of the Atlantic Forest’s biological diversity, which is among the richest in the world. Almost 100 million people (2002) live in the urban and industrial areas of 3,000 out of the 5,507 municipalities within this Biosphere Reserve. In 1993, the Sao Paulo City’s Green Belt Biosphere Reserve was added as an integrate part of the Mata Atlántica Biosphere Reserve, covering another 72 municipalities. In addition to promote improved protection of the forest ecosystem remnants and the biodiversity, another major objective is to develop sustainable uses and social practices. | |||
| Major ecosystem type |
Tropical humid forests with coastal/marine component; Mixed mountain and highland systems |
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| Major habitats & land cover types |
Moist forest; sub-tropical semi-deciduous forest with Araucaria angustifolia, Podocarpus lambertii, Drimys brasiliensis etc.; Araucaria and Podocarpus conifer forest; upland meadows with grasses and small heaths including species such as Cortaderia modesta, Chusquea pinifolia and Cladium eosifobium sp.; cerrado forest characterized by Sclerolobium aureum, Machaerium opacum, Dalbergia violacea and Bowdichia virgilioides; gallery forest bordering rivers and streams with Ilex paraguarensis, Xylosma venosa and Spondias lutea; holm forest; coastal forest of several types; mangrove with Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia tomentosa, Laguncularia racemosa and Hibiscus riliaceus; lagoons with Typha domingensis, Claudium jamaicense, Scirpus spp. etc. beaches, sand dunes; mountains; caves; islands São Paulo City Green Belt: Coastal and inland moist forests; mangroves; beaches; restinga (beach vegetation); marine ecosystems; islands and sea rocks; cerrado (savanna); rivers and water reservoirs; riparian ecosystems; lagoons; caves; wetlands; urban areas |
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| Location | 02°50' to 33°45'S; 34°45' to 55°15'W | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 29,473,484 | |||
| Core area(s) | 4,052,544 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 12,646,302 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 12,774,638 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | -50 to +2,897 | |||
| Year designated | 1993, extension 2002 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Conselho Nacional da Reserva da Biosfera da Mata Atlântica Forest Institute of São Paulo (Instituto Florestal) | |||
| Last updated: 3/8/2011 |
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