Experiencing the Atlantic rain forest
 It is a total of 111,930 Hectares (276,590 acres) in which the most important preservation areas of the rain forest of Mata Atlântica is located, and is scattered over 16 municipalities in the state. This area begins with the ecological reservation of Una and extends to the National Park of Monte Pascoal, whereby also the Parque do Descobrimento, the reservation Pau Brasil, the nature preservation areas of Santo Ângelo, Coroa Vermelha, Trancoso/Caraíva, the maritime park Recife de Fora, the Station Vera Cruz, a private reservation as well as the Indian reservation Barra Vermelha are all incorporated.
The Mata Atlântica is a vegatation type in Brazil. The Atlantic rain forest, so the translation of Mata Atlântica, stretches across the entire east coast of Brazil from the Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul, but also inwards from Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul, in the south it extends to Argentina und Paraguay. Due to timber cutting, especially in the 20th century, the area was reduced dramatically. Today it is one of the most endangered tropical forests.
The bio-diversity is one of the highest in the world, even higher than the rain forests in the Amazons. A study of the CEPLAC and the New York Botanic Garden counted 458 various tree types in one hectare forest. The Mata Atlântica covered not only the narrow coastal region but also the slopes of the Brazilian highlands so various flora and fauna developed in the smallest area. Today these steep slopes are the best maintained parts of the forest. In 1991 the Mata Atlântica was declared UNESCO Biospher Reservation in 14 Counties in Brazil and in 1999 to UNESCO World Natural Heritage.
Because of the different altitudes, the differences in the various flora und fauna is accordingly high. Up to 60 meter (200 feet) tall trees build a closed green roofing, under which always moist, shady micro-climate exists. In multiple layers different plants grow. Typical and common plants like moss, cipós, bromelins and orchids. Including the insects it is suspected that there are 1,6 million species. At least 8,000 plants and fauna are endemic, that means they are indigenous to Mata Atlântica: 55% of the trees, 70% of the bromelies, 64% of the palms, 39% of the mammals, 160 birds und 183 amphibians.
Along with the Mata Atlântica, the Costa do Descobrimento also distinguishes itself through culturally valuable places from the colonization period through the Europeans. Thereby the historical centers of Porto Seguro, Vale Verde, Trancoso und Santa Cruz Cabrália are listed by UNESCO. Accordingly, there are many archeological sites in the area; prehistorically as well as historical. So for e.g. the ruins of the first Brazilian church is found on a cliff north of Porto Seguro.
In the region of Porto Seguro the following Nature parks can be visited:
ESTAÇÃO VERA CRUZ
The Estação Vera Cruz is with an area of 6,069 Hectares (15,000 acres) one of the largest private preservation areas of the Mata Atlântica and rates as one of the best maintained parks. A guide will make you aquainted with the Mata Atlântica and lead you across the bewitched paths and hanging bridges. The park offers over 300 types of birds, reptiles and mammals of one habitat.
The Estação Vera Cruz lies only a few kilometers west of Porto Seguro.
MONTE PASCOAL NATIONAL PARK
At Itamaraju, approx. 50 Kilometers (31 miles) south of Porto Seguro lies the National Park Monte Pascoal. Also this National Park may only be visited with a guide. The wandering on the 536 meter (1,759 feet) high peak of the Monte Pascoal is rewarded with a magnificent view onto the Atlantic.
The National Park has a rich stock of orchids, bromelins and tillands and primeval forest trees as well as a large number of fauna. Here one also finds the rare and threatened by extinction spider monkey, sloths, anteaters, porcupines, jaguars and pumas as well as red dear and capybaras.
ILHAS DE ABROLHOS
The Abrolhos Islands are the first marine national park of Brazil. The Archipelago consists of 5 islands with a total of 91,000 hectares (224,870 acres). Only the island of Santa Barbara is inhabited. Here divers and snorkelers get their money’s worth. Large coral reefs with uncountable tropical fish can be observed in shallow waters. In the months of July to November hundreds of humpback wales come here to bear their young.
The Abrolhos Archipelago counts to the most beautiful in the South Atlantic.
For the visit of this National Park, at least two or three days should be planned. Ships ferry to the islands regularly from Nova Vicosa, Caravelas and Prado.
|
