STUDY AREA

The study has four different sites: three bordering and partly extending into the “Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgaos” and one at private forest fragments within small farmlands around it, in the state of Rio de Janeiro (south-eastern Brazil)

Figure 1.Parque National da Serra dos Orgaos and surrouding
Source: SOS Mata Atlantica

The national park covers 11 000 ha and varies from 1100 to2253 m in altitude being surrounded by farmlands from different municipalities (Teresópolis, Petrópolis, Guapimirim and Magé).
The region is formed by irregular hills with strong topography. The climate of the region can be defined as humid with practically no water deficiency and mesothermic with little variation in temperature. The total rainfall is about 3100mm/year while the averaged temperature variea from 14°C to 21°C.
The vegetation of the region belongs to the Atlantic Forest being formed by dense forest, shrubs and grasslands in the top of the hills.
The municipalities of Teresópolis and Petrópolis have been categorized as high quality municipalities because of their high share of forest area (CIDE 2000), together with Nova Friburgo being considered as the green treasure of Rio de Janeiro State.(BLUMEN)

In the region of Terezópolis we have several small fragments surrounded by agricultural activities, as horticultural and pasture for cattle. This system is responsible for the fragmentation of the forest area and accounts for substantial erosion losses.
The population have increase substantially over the last year. This growth has led to destruction of the forest through uncontrolled urban expansion .