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Côte de la découverte – Réserves de la forêt atlantique

Brève description

La Côte de la découverte du Brésil, située dans les États de Bahía et d’Espirito Santo, se compose de huit aires protégées qui contiennent 112 000 ha de forêt atlantique et arbustes associés (restingas). La forêt atlantique est la forêt ombrophile la plus riche du monde du point de vue de la biodiversité. La Côte de la découverte abrite un large éventail d’espèces ayant un haut niveau d’endémisme. Elle révèle un schéma d’évolution de très grand intérêt pour la science et la conservation.

Côte de la découverte – Réserves de la forêt atlantique © UNESCO

Justification d'inscription

Les réserves de la forêt atlantique de la côte de la découverte comprennent huit régions séparées protégées contenant les vestiges les plus représentatifs et les plus étendus de la forêt atlantique du nord-est du Brésil et recèlent un grand nombre d’espèces rares et endémiques. Le site contient une grande richesse biologique et illustre l’évolution des rares régions restantes de forêt atlantique dans le nord-est du Brésil. On peut y observer des structures d’évolution extrêmement intéressantes du point de vue de la science et de la conservation. Le fait qu’il ne reste plus que ces vestiges éparpillés d’une forêt qui fut immense explique que le site soit un élément irremplaçable du patrimoine forestier mondial.

Description longue

[Uniquement en anglais]

The Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves consist of eight separate protected areas containing 112,000 ha of Atlantic forest and associated shrub (restingas). The rainforests of Brazil's Atlantic coast are the world's richest in terms of biodiversity. The site contains a distinct range of species with a high level of endemism and reveals a pattern of evolution that is not only of great scientific interest but is also of importance for conservation.

A limestone plateau with tabular hills (sierras) covers much of the site, forming a line of white or reddish cliffs near the sea. Sediments and sands from river and sea deposits form an irregular coastal stretch of sand plains and dunes, and accumulate in large river valleys. The highest formations of the Discovery Coast are the round-shaped hills of volcanic and metamorphic origin that are concentrated in the south, the most famous being Monte Pascoal.

The rainforests of southern Bahia and northern Espirito Santo states are considered the world's richest in terms of the number of species of tree per hectare. Until 300 m, the principle vegetation type is highly diverse primary tropical moist broadleaf forest with tall canopy trees. The area contains perhaps the largest number of trees of Pau Brasil left on Earth. In dryer sectors, piaçaba palm-tree is frequent and lianas become more abundant. Along the river valleys, there is a gallery forest with jatoba, jussara and araça, as well as typical species from surrounding moist forests and areas of restingas. There are areas rich in epiphytes and parasitic plants that have a dense shrub layer. On sand coastal soils, there is restinga vegetation ranging from humid prairies and shrubs to low forests.

The fauna is relatively poorly known. Ecological heterogeneity makes precise definition of habitats and local fauna difficult. With the exception of some ecosystems such as wetlands, many organisms are characterized by selecting areas of vegetation gradients and ecotones. Best known groups are birds and primates. Some species present, which are endemic to the Atlantic forest, include maned sloth, thin-spined porcupine, jaguar and Geoffroy's tufted-ear marmoset.

Source : UNESCO/CLT/WHC