Bahia coastal forests

Bahia coastal forests

Localization of Bahia coastal forests ecorregion as delineated by WWF.
Ecology
Biome Atlantic Forest
Borders Serra do Mar coastal forests, Bahia interior forests and Pernambuco coastal forests
Bird species 466[1]
Mammal species 166[1]
Geography
Area 109,815 km2 (42,400 sq mi)
Country  Brazil
States Bahia and Espírito Santo
Conservation
Habitat loss 95.0%[2]
Protected 1.78%[1]

The Bahia coastal forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion of eastern Brazil, part of the larger Atlantic Forest region.

Setting

The Bahia coastal forests occupy a belt approximately 150 km (93 mi) wide along the Atlantic coast of eastern Brazil, in the states of Bahia and Espirito Santo. The Itapicuru River forms the northern boundary of the ecoregion, which extends south to near the Itapemirim River. The ecoregion is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and the enclaves of the Atlantic Coast restingas forests and Bahia mangroves. To the west, the forests transition to the drier Bahia interior forests.

The forests cover Tertiary sedimentary plateaus extending from near the seacoast westward to the lower slopes of the Serra da Mantiqueira. The prevalent soils are tropical nutrient-poor yellow-red latosol and podzols.

Climate

The ecoregion has a tropical climate with annual rainfall ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 mm, evenly distributed throughout the year. The southern portion of the ecoregion may experience a dry period from May through September.

Flora

The four-tiered Atlantic evergreen moist forests are the predominant vegetation type.

Fauna

Golden-headed lion tamarin is a primate endemic species of Bahia coastal forests.
Satellite picture of Bahia coastal forests ecoregion (yellow line). In this image is shown the desforestation degree of the ecoregion.

Endangered mammals in the ecoregion include the maned three-toed sloth (Bradypus torquatus) and golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas).

Conservation and threats

Less than 5% of the original forest cover remains intact. Protected areas in the ecoregion include Sooretama Biological Reserve and Linhares Forest Reserve.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L., ed. The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
  2. ↑ Viana, V. M., A.J. Tabanez, and J.L. Batista. 1997. Dynamics and restoration of forest fragments in the Brazilian Atlantic moist forest. Pages 351-365 in W.F. Laurance, and R.O. Bierregaard Jr, editors, Tropical forest remnants: ecology, management, and conservation of fragmented communities. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.


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