Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, Nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site in São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil.
Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves comprise multiple protected areas with coastal islands, mountain slopes, wetlands, and dense forest regions across southeastern Brazil. The reserve system protects different types of woodland and habitats spread across the landscape.
Large portions of the Atlantic Forest were cleared and destroyed during the 20th century. The area received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999 to protect the remaining forest sections from further loss.
Guarani communities continue to live in and use parts of the forest following ancestral practices that balance human needs with forest health. Their presence shapes how this landscape is cared for and valued by those who know it best.
The reserve can be accessed through Intervales State Park, which provides accommodation and guided tours. Visitors should prepare for humid conditions and uneven terrain since this is a mountain forest in a tropical region.
Up to 450 tree species can grow within a single hectare of forest, making it one of the most species-rich woodland areas in the world. This remarkable diversity in a small space is a rare feature of tropical mountain forests.
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