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.
Brazil's government designated this forest as a protected ecological area in 1985 to safeguard the species found within it. The protection measure reflected growing concerns about preserving one of the country's most threatened forest ecosystems.
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.
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