Our class took a trip to the Atlantic Rainforest or "Mata Atlantica" after learning about it from Professora Waverli. It was just a quick bus ride outside of the Sao Paulo metropolis and I was surprised how close we were. The city is actually surrounded by forests and parks, and it was explained to us that many residents are not even aware of the 200 million year old "Mata Atlantica", unfortunately. Being there was inspiring and beautiful. I can definitely see why Waverli is so passionate about preserving and protecting this forest from destruction and deforestation because only about 7% of its main vegetation is left.
We were informed that this rain forest represents 15% of Brazilian territory and it is very special because it is something that only exists in Brazil. Many people are very concerned with the Amazonian rain forest because it covers half of Brazil, but other countries in South America also share it as well.*
Here are some facts about the Atlantic:
1. It has higher rates of species within an area than the Amazon because it is older than the Amazon.
2. It contains 20,000 species of trees, and even some species related to the Congo in Africa because when the tectonic plates split the forests split.
3. Precious stones can be found in the soil as well due to the drainage into the interior of
the Brazilian Plateau.
4. Atlantic Rainforest is 200 million years old and the Amazon is 50 million years old.
5. In the forest, the largest biomass of species are bugs.
6. Over the last 60 years we've caused the most damage of all time
7. Trees are important because 1/2 of all medications come from them!
The link below is a fairly simple explanation of why rainforests are important to the water cycle, but basically rainforests add moisture to the atmosphere through transpiration and is a huge factor in decreasing drought! The growth, industrialization, and urban sprawl in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo are a huge risk factor when it comes to protecting this rainforest.
Professor Waverli left me with this, "If we don't know how to conserve our backyard, how can we honor any other place." This quote spoke volumes to me because the importance we put on building and new infrastructure, creating massive urbanization, minimizes awareness of how it will effect our natural resources.
Sources
* http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/amazon.htm
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