Tijuca Forest: An Urban Forest in the Anthropocene

Tijuca Forest, an urban remnant of the Atlantic Forest within Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park, exemplifies successful reforestation and ecological rehabilitation in the Anthropocene. As one of the world's largest urban forests, it demonstrates how degraded landscapes can be restored to mitigate air pollution and CO2 concentrations. The study revisits the history of deforestation in the Atlantic Forest, highlighting Tijuca's role as a pioneer in freshwater protection and reforestation efforts under Dom Pedro II. It also discusses ongoing initiatives like the Reforestation Joint Effort and native fauna reintroduction projects, emphasizing their potential for global environmental restoration. Air quality studies within the forest underscore its critical function in pollutant mitigation, offering hope for the future of Earth's ecosystems.

Arbilla, G., & Martins da Silva, C. (2018). Tijuca Forest: An Urban Forest in the Anthropocene. Revista Virtual de Química, 10(6), 1758–1791. https://doi.org/10.21577/1984-6835.20180117