Area 104,800 km² Bird species 628 Protected 51% | Habitat loss 70.0% Mammal species 175 | |
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Borders Araucaria moist forestsAtlantic OceanCerradoAlto Paraná Atlantic forestsBahia coastal forests States São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul | ||
The Serra do Mar coastal forests is an ecoregion of the tropical moist forests biome, and of the South American Atlantic Forest biome.
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Geography
The Serra do Mar mountain range defines this ecoregion. The Serra do Mar coastal forests are located in the Serra do Mar, along the southern coast of Brazil for about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi).
The ecoregion lies within the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul.
Natural history
The climate is subtropical with high levels of annual rainfall.
The montane tropical moist forest habitats are vegetated with species of Bromeliaceae, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae and Lauraceae. This region has an outstanding biodiversity consisting of flora, mammals, birds, and herpetofauna.
Conservation
70% of the original forest has already been altered by settlement and agriculture. 51% is currently in protected areas.
The primary ongoing threats to this ecoregion are urban development and tourism infrastructure.