Atlantic Forest: What Kind of System is This?
A journey through Brazil's Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot facing urgent challenges.
Composition of existing forest in the Sombra e Água Fresca Garden (2021-02-24) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
Welcome
Welcome to the Atlantic Forest, a vibrant forest system that is home to thousands of life forms. Join us in exploring one of the richest biomes on the planet and discover some secrets of a complex relational network between living and non-living things.
Fragment of Atlantic Forest protected at the Inhotim Institute (2020-03-13) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
So, what is a biome?
In order to understand the concept of a biome, consider a large geographical area that shares similar features in terms of climate, vegetation, and fauna. Now think of a biome as a system of ecosystems, interconnected on a regional or continental scale.
The Atlantic Forest fits this definition because it has a predominantly humid tropical climate, a large amount of rainfall, and a wealth of biodiversity, with many plants and animals that only exist there (known as endemic species).
View of the Atlantic Forest at Inhotim (2020-03-13) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
What about the ecosystem?
An ecosystem is the dynamic interaction between communities of living beings, the soil, the water, and the air in a given place. In the Atlantic Forest, there are different ecosystems, each with its own particular features. This means forests, mangroves, and sandbanks. In these ecosystems, every detail matters.
Guarajuba, a species that occurs naturally in the Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro (2020-11-05) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
From the ecosystem to the species
Biological diversity is organized in a continuous chain that extends to ever more granular levels. Ecosystems are formed by communities. Communities are population networks. And a population is a set of individuals of the same species inhabiting the same space at the same time.
Terminalia acuminata , also known as guarajuba, is a tree from the Atlantic Forest. It was almost considered extinct in the wild, since its populations were no longer found. Inhotim has a growing guarajuba tree, which stands out in the landscape with its robust trunk and dense canopy that shelters various other forms of life.
The shape of the guarajuba leaf facilitates photosynthesis in dense environments, such as the interior of the forests it inhabits (2020-11-05) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
Terminalia leaf
The tree's botanical genus is named after an interesting fact, the arrangement of its leaves. Terminalia comes from the Latin terminus, which means end: a reference to the fact that its leaves tend to cluster at the tips of the branches. This gives its canopy a distinctive appearance, and may be an adaptation to optimize sunlight absorption.
Mandaçaia (Melipona quadrifasciata), a species of stingless bee found in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado (2022-09-12) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
Life links
Pollinators are key to threading the fabric of life. Whether insects or birds, they collaborate in transforming myriad flowers into fruits, which are essential to maintain ecosystems and, consequently, biomes.
Interior of a mandaçaia bee colony at the Inhotim Institute's meliponary (2022-09-12) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
Black body adorned in gold
One of the most beautiful bees to inhabit the Atlantic Forest is the mandaçaia (Melipona quadrifasciata). The species in the photo is a protector of this forest: architect of colonies, pollinator of plants, and producer of honey with healing properties known to indigenous peoples.
Melipolinary of Instituto Inhotim, a themed garden created in partnership with CRESAN (Rescue and Ecology Center for Native Bees in Brumadinho) (2022-09-12) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
Protecting the guardians
It is inconceivable to protect the Atlantic Forest without considering its pollinators. Deforestation, pesticide use, and the impacts of climate change have been driving the rapid decline of the bees that pollinate this biome. Bee protection initiatives, such as the Meliponário do Inhotim, are efforts to preserve forest life as well.
The caxinguelê (Guerlinguetus aestuans) is the only squirrel native to the Atlantic Forest (2021-03-06) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
Dispersal
One of the environmental processes that help the Atlantic Forest reclaim its territory is the natural dispersal of seeds. In this biome, many plants that are currently at risk of disappearing depend on animal-plant interaction for their seeds to reach new places.
Xaxim, a slow-growing Atlantic Forest fern cultivated in the Inhotim gardens (2021-02-24) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
An ancient system
The network of interactions that shaped the Atlantic Forest began about 65 million years ago. This makes it one of the oldest forests in the world and, for some researchers, the oldest in South America.
Dicksonia sellowiana is listed as "Endangered" (EN) on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species (2021-02-24) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
The longevity of the Atlantic Forest is linked to the history of the xaxim tree, for example. The xaxim belongs to a very ancient group of plants, the tree ferns that existed millions of years ago during the Carboniferous period.
In addition to being an ancient species, the xaxim fern has a very long lifespan. It may live for over 200 years in nature.
Transition Garden located in Inhotim's Orange Axis (2021-02-24) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
An ancient system with urgent needs
Known as a biodiversity hotspot, the Atlantic Forest is considered one of the richest and most threatened biomes on the planet. Despite having been drastically reduced in area due to human action, it still houses a huge number of species.
Jacaranda-da-bahia, a large tree that provides shelter and resources for local fauna at Inhotim (2020-11-05) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
According to data from the SOS Mata Atlântica organization, it covers 15% of Brazil's territory and is home to about 72% of Brazilians. Most of the water we drink, the energy we use, and the food we produce relies on this biome.
Forest path in the Sombra e Água Fresca Garden (2021-02-24) by João Marcos RosaInhotim
Despite being a priceless asset, the Atlantic Forest is the most devastated biome in Brazil. Its recovery needs to be a long-term commitment that reconnects people with the landscape.
Besides appreciating the beauty of this biome, the key to sustainable conservation of the Atlantic Forest also lies in collecting seeds, producing seedlings, and planting on a large scale to generate education, employment, income, and well-being for the people.
Credits:
Research: Botanical Curation Assistant Bárbara Sales
Copywriting: Botanical Curation Assistant Bárbara Sales
Nature Manager Sabrina Carmo
Revision: Nature Manager Sabrina Carmo
Audio: Environmental Analyst Laís Diniz
Photos: João Marcos Rosa
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