__ENVS 1301 Discussion Forum Unit 2 Solution 4

Which biodiversity hotspot did you choose to write about? (Give the name)

I live in Brazil so it is only natural that I chose the Atlantic Forest as the biodiversity hotspot for me to
write about.

Where is it located? (Give the world, region and country)

The Atlantic Forest extends itself throughout the entire Atlantic coast of Brazil, but it is also present at
“eastern Paraguay and the province of Misiones in northeastern Argentina, and narrowly along the coast
into Uruguay” (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, n.d.a). The question asks us to include the world it is
located, so it is located on planet Earth.

What are two important species (give common and scientific names) that live there? Why are they
important?

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The Atlantic Forest is home to unique biodiversity, including rare types of plants, birds, amphibians,

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reptiles, birds, and mammals. One important type of plant that exists there is Brazil-wood which is used

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in the manufacturing of furniture and musical instruments. As for the animals, there is one species of

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parrot which is endangered, it is called red-tailed Amazon and it is important because it is facing
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extinction (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, n.d.b).
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What is one endangered species (give common and scientific name) that lives there? Why is it
endangered?
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There is a great concern about the primate known as the golden lion tamarin; its scientific name is
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Leontopithecus rosalia. It’s been endangered since the 70s due to “collection for the pet trade, severe
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habitat loss, and fragmentation” (Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, n.d).
Since then, there has been a great effort to save this species and the population of this animal has
increased; however, the severe habitat loss still poses a threat to this animal.
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List three other interesting facts that you have learned about this place.
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I remember studying the Atlantic Forest during my school years, but I did not remember the fact that it
“makes up 13% of Brazil's territory and is the third largest major vegetation formation in the country
after Amazonia and the Cerrado (an area of woodland savannah in north-east Brazil)” (Critical Ecosystem
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Partnership Fund, n.d.c).

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Another important fact is that it “is shrinking due to deforestation, and it is now less than 10% of its
original size” (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, n.d.c).

Lastly, I really did not know the Atlantic Forest extends itself to Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. I
thought it was located in Brazil only.

List one thing you feel could be done to help save it.

This is really complicated because the deforestation, which is the main threat to this biodiversity, is
caused by economic interests (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, n.d.d). The population is expanding
and they need a place to live, the wood of the forest can be used for various reasons and the animals
are rare and expensive. In Brazil, money comes first most of the time.

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 The only thing that could be done is to punish those engaging in deforestation acts with high fares
because creating a barrier between the Atlantic Forest and the people is not feasible. Unfortunately,
unless the population decreases, I am afraid the Atlantic Forest will disappear one day, but I guess it is
going to take a long time.

References

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. (n.d.a) Atlantic Forest - About this Hotspot. Retrieved from
https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/atlantic-forest

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. (n.d.b) Atlantic Forest - Species. Retrieved from
https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/atlantic-forest/species

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. (n.d.c) Atlantic Forest - Threats. Retrieved from
https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/atlantic-forest/threats

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Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. (n.d.d) Atlantic Forest - Priorities. Retrieved from
https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/atlantic-forest/priorities

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Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. (n.d). Golden lion tamarin. Retrieved from

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https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/golden-lion-tamarin
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