A Re-emerging Atlantic Forest? Urbanization, Industrialization and the Forest Transition in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil

background

The Atlantic Forest region of southern Brazil has experienced rapid urbanization and industrialization in the second half of the 20th century. Trends in other regions of the world might suggest this would lead to increased forest cover in rural areas, however a developing country such as Brazil may present a different scenario.

research & methods

This research presents an analysis of forest cover change in the Atlantic forest of Santa Catarina, Brazil between 1975 and 1995/1996.

conclusions & takeaways

In areas previously cleared between 1957 and 1988, there was an increase in planted forests that consisted mostly of exotic pines and eucalyptus. The authors suggest that even though there are signs of a forest transition in Santa Catarina, it does not mean that the biodiversity crisis in the Atlantic Forest is any less significant, as monocultures of exotic trees provide a low biodiversity value compared with natural forests. However, spontaneous forest regeneration has also become more common after 1985 and contributes to higher biodiversity values.