Área de Relevante Interesse Ecológica Floresta da Cicuta, Protected ecological reserve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Floresta da Cicuta is a protected reserve in Rio de Janeiro that covers roughly 131 hectares of Atlantic Forest with different habitats for wildlife and plants. The site combines dense woodland sections with more open areas, creating varied ecological environments.

The ARIE Floresta da Cicuta was created in 1985 by federal Decree 90.792 to protect the endangered turtle Mesoclemmys hogei, known locally as cágado-de-hogei, endemic to the Paraíba do Sul river basin. That same year, Volta Redonda municipal law 2016/1985 established the Banco de Preservação Genética da Natureza to promote reforestation with native species.

Research institutions including UFRJ, UERJ, and USP conduct scientific studies in the forest, advancing environmental education and conservation knowledge.

Visitors need to obtain authorization before entering this forest area. The site sits in a region straddling two municipalities and requires advance planning to visit.

This forest shelters a critically endangered freshwater turtle found only in Brazil, ranking among the world's most threatened animal species. The presence of this turtle was a key reason for establishing protection here.