Brazil’s Most Endangered Forest Isn’t the Amazon

The biologists say that nowadays they sometimes even find traces of illegal mining in protected areas, something that was hardly seen in this part of Brazil for a long time. This phenomenon is also a major problem in the much larger and remote Amazon region. “Just as the current government is making no effort to protect the Amazon, it is doing nothing for the Atlantic Rainforest,” sighs Ingberman.

“We need to protect and restore the Atlantic Forest as much as possible,” Fusco said. “The fate of this primeval forest serves as a warning: we must prevent the Amazon from looking like this in the future: just a few small, scattered tufts of rainforest.”

Tourist potential

On the way back, the biologists emphasize the importance of the forest for the environment. “Look around you: it’s breathtakingly beautiful here. Think of the tourist potential,” says Fusco. “And don’t forget how important the Atlantic Forest is to the water supply of this part of the country, the most densely populated part,” adds his wife.

There is a moment of silence as the biologists make their way through the bromeliad bushes. Then it clears up, and the scientists’ enthusiasm returns. “Look there, in that puddle,” Fusco says. The two biologists bend down and study a paw print. “It’s hard to see in the water, but I think a crab-eating fox walked here. Great.”

Earlier NOS on 3 made this explainer about the Amazon rainforest:

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