World Heritage Identification Number: 893
World Heritage since: 1999
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇧🇷 Brazil
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves: A Biodiversity Haven in Brazil
The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, is a vast network of protected areas spanning over 470,000 hectares across the states of Paraná and São Paulo in Brazil. This expansive region showcases some of the finest and most comprehensive examples of the Atlantic forest ecosystem, which is one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, in the states of Paraná and São Paulo, contain some of the best and most extensive examples of Atlantic forest in Brazil. The 25 protected areas that make up the site (some 470,000 ha in total) display the biological wealth and evolutionary history of the last remaining Atlantic forests. From mountains covered by dense forests, down to wetlands, coastal islands with isolated mountains and dunes, the area comprises a rich natural environment of great scenic beauty.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (vii): The site represents one of one of the largest continuous areas of exuberant Brazilian Atlantic Forest connected with coastal ecosystems. From mountains covered by dense forests with an abundance of orchids and bromeliads to coastal islands and estuaries with a wealth of vast mangroves, the property offers a natural environment of great beauty with tremendous terrestrial and marine biodiversity. More than 300 caves (including the Casa de Pedra Cave which has the largest portico in the world at 215 meters high, and Santana Cave which is one of the most highly decorated), the rugged mountains and breathtaking coastal scenery, contribute to the exceptional aesthetic interest of the region.
Criterion (ix): Historically partly isolated, the Atlantic Forest has evolved into a complex biome with a multitude of endemic species, comprising around 70% of the tree species, 85% of the primates and 39% of the mammals. As the most important ecological corridor of the Atlantic Forest, the site represents the best guarantee for the sustainability of the ongoing evolution of the biome and its associated marine and coastal ecosystems.
Criterion (x): The flora and fauna are extremely diverse and very rich. The flora is among the most diverse in the world, and in some areas one can encounter over 450 species of trees per hectare. As for mammals, they number 120 species, probably the largest in Brazil. Amongst the flagship species are the jaguar, ocelot and the bush dog (Speothos venaticus). The property is rich in primates, some of which are highly endangered, such as the woolly spider monkey (Brachyteles arachnoides), the largest primate in the Americas, and the little “black-faced lion” monkey (Leontopithecus caissara), recorded only in 1990 and endemic to the region. The avifauna is very diverse with 350 species recorded, including the blue-cheeked Amazon (Amazona brasiliensis), classified vulnerable. The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber), a large bird with bright red plumage, is a local symbol.
Encyclopedia Record: Serra do Mar
The Serra do Mar is a 1,500-kilometre-long (930 mi) system of mountain ranges and escarpments in Southeastern Brazil.Additional Site Details
Area: 468,193 hectares
Number of Components: 21
(ix) — Outstanding example representing ecological and biological processes
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: -24.16667 , -48
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
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© Jimfbleak, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Jaguars and wild pigs indicate protected area connectivity in the south-east Atlantic Forest (Brazil)
Despite the highly fragmented landscape of Brazil's south-east Atlantic Forest, both jaguars and wild pigs exhibit connectivity among protected areas. While wild pigs, with their lower environmental requirements, show more connectivity opportunities, the study reveals that even threatened species like jaguars can traverse narrow corridors through protected areas of sustainable use and private reserves. This finding underscores the critical role these areas play in maintaining landscape integrity for both native and invasive species. The research employed expert opinion, Circuitscape analysis, and least-cost-path modeling to assess connectivity, highlighting a concerning dual-use of landscapes that benefits conservation efforts while also facilitating the spread of invasive species.
Silva, M. P., Massi, K. G., Negri, R. G., & Pedrosa, F. (2023). Jaguars and wild pigs indicate protected area connectivity in the south-east Atlantic Forest (Brazil). Environmental Conservation, 50(1), 22–30. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0376892922000479
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The contribution of local people to species conservation: the case of the catfish Trichogenes claviger in south-east Brazil
New records of the critically endangered catfish Trichogenes claviger, endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest, reveal its presence across 8.883 km², expanding its known range from 8 km² and doubling its area of occupancy. Local communities, particularly through partnerships with conservation projects like Saíra-apunhalada, played a pivotal role in discovering these populations, including nursery sites with hundreds of individuals. This study underscores the importance of integrating local knowledge in species conservation, especially for threatened taxa, while highlighting the ecological significance of protected areas and their surrounding landscapes.
Silva, J. P., Sarmento-Soares, L. M., Tonini, L., & Freitas, J. (2023). The contribution of local people to species conservation: the case of the catfish Trichogenes claviger in south-east Brazil. Oryx, 57(6), 693. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605323000893
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Conservation Action Plan for two endemic and threatened tree species in Brazilian biodiversity hotspots
A critical discovery of the Critically Endangered catfish Trichogenes claviger, endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest, expands its known range by over 18 times, from 8 km² to 16 km². Initially described in 2010, this species was thought to be confined to a single, highly threatened locality until recent observations confirmed its presence across multiple sites within the Mata de Kaetés Private Natural Heritage Reserve and surrounding areas. The study highlights the pivotal role of local communities and conservation units in identifying and protecting threatened biodiversity, including the identification of nursery grounds harboring hundreds of individuals. This finding underscores the importance of community engagement and targeted mapping efforts for species preservation in Brazilian biodiversity hotspots.
Silva, I., Souza, J. P., & Verdi, M. (2023). Conservation Action Plan for two endemic and threatened tree species in Brazilian biodiversity hotspots. Oryx, 57(6), 693–694. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605323001023
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Composition of a bat assemblage (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the natural reserve Salto Morato, east coast of Paraná, south Brazil
A study conducted in the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, specifically at the Salto Morato Natural Reserve in Paraná, Brazil, revealed a remarkable diversity of bat species (25 species) within a conservation unit. This high richness underscores the critical role such protected areas play in preserving biodiversity. The research utilized mist nets installed at varying forest heights over six nights per month from 2013 to 2014, yielding 1,201 captures. The findings suggest significant spatial variation in bat habitat use and provide valuable data for the management and conservation of these protected areas.
Carvalho, F., Luciano, B. F. L., Preuss, G., Bôlla, D. A. S., Mottin, V., & Passos, F. d. C. (2020). Composition of a bat assemblage (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the natural reserve Salto Morato, east coast of Paraná, south Brazil. Mastozoología Neotropical, 27(1), 053–060. https://doi.org/10.31687/saremmn.20.27.1.0.14
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The Agony and the Ecstasy: International Fieldwork from a Neophyte’s Perspective
This study confirms that Chloridea subflexa, a widespread moth species, is strictly limited to three host plant species within the Solanaceae family, challenging assumptions about its broader host range. The research leveraged extensive fieldwork in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, combining historical collection data with modern surveys to track the presence of C. subflexa larvae on Physalis angulata and pubescens. Despite the degraded state of the Mata Atlantica—one of the most threatened biomes globally—this study highlights the resilience of specialized species and raises questions about their persistence in fragmented habitats. The approach also demonstrated the challenges and rewards of moth collection, emphasizing the importance of long-term fieldwork and collaboration with local experts like Vitor Becker, whose decades-long collections provided critical baselines for this research.
Oppenheim, S. J. (2018). The Agony and the Ecstasy: International Fieldwork from a Neophyte’s Perspective. American Entomologist, 64(2), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmy015
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Relative importance of anthropogenic landscape characteristics for Neotropical frugivores at multiple scales
Frugivores, crucial to Neotropical forest ecosystems, face significant threats from human activities. This study reveals that anthropogenic landscape characteristics—such as human accessibility, proximity to reserves, and forest cover—are the primary determinants of occupancy for frugivorous species like the paca (Cuniculus paca), brocket deer (Mazama sp.), and collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) in the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves. Environmental and geomorphometric variables played a weaker role, while weather, season, and habitat factors influenced detection probability. The research employed camera traps and call surveys across 45 sites over a year, analyzing landscape metrics at three spatial scales (200, 500, and 1000 meters) using multi-season occupancy modeling. Findings underscore the need for a multi-taxa and multi-scale approach to conservation planning, as different frugivore species respond variably to landscape attributes depending on their perceptual scale.
Nagy‐Reis, M. B., Estevo, C. A., Setz, E. Z. F., Ribeiro, M. C., Chiarello, A. G., & Nichols, J. D. (2017). Relative importance of anthropogenic landscape characteristics for Neotropical frugivores at multiple scales. Animal Conservation, 20(6), 520–531. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12346
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Kryptousia macronema gen. nov., sp. nov. and Kryptousia microlepis sp. nov., nostocalean cyanobacteria isolated from phyllospheres
Two novel cyanobacterial species, Kryptousia macronema and Kryptousia microlepis, have been discovered in the phyllospheres of mangrove and Atlantic forest reserves in southeastern Brazil. These species belong to a new genus, Kryptousia, classified within the family Tolypotrichaceae. The discovery was made through comprehensive morphological, ultrastructural, phylogenetic, molecular, and ecological analyses of isolates from Avicennia schaueriana and Merostachys neesii leaves. This finding significantly advances our understanding of microbial diversity in South American ecosystems and contributes to the systematics of cyanobacteria, which are crucial primary producers in nutrient-depleted habitats.
Alvarenga, D. O., Andreote, A. P. D., Branco, L. H. Z., & Fiore, M. F. (2017). Kryptousia macronema gen. nov., sp. nov. and Kryptousia microlepis sp. nov., nostocalean cyanobacteria isolated from phyllospheres. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 67(9), 3301–3309. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.002109
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