In this Thursday, May 27, Brazil celebrates the National Day for the Atlantic Forest. In 2010 - established by the United Nations the International Year of Biodiversity -, the celebrations were held in conjunction with the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated on May 22.
To commemorate the date, the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment promoted a seminar at the Ibirapuera Park, in São Paulo, last week. The defenders of the biome met to discuss the actions that have been carried out to curb the destruction of the forest, which has already lost more than 70% of its original vegetation.
The Atlantic Forest is one of the richest sets of ecosystems in biodiversity in the world. Its original area covered approximately 15% of the country, an area equivalent to around 1.3 million square kilometers. Nowadays the Atlantic Forest region is inhabited by 120 million people; it covers partially or entirely close to 3,400 municipalities in 17 states including the two largest metropolises in the country, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The Atlantic Forest is the set of ecosystems most affected by the intense economic exploitation and occupation, which has happened since the colonial period. But even after having been reduced to approximately 27% of its original size, the remnants of native vegetation still retain high levels of biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Redes Sociais