Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Brazil's Flora & Fauna
Home to over 55,000 plant species and three of the
most diverse ecosystems on the planet, the wealth
of flora and fauna in Brazil is unmatched. Some of
the most valuable resources of the modern world,
such as rubber, originate from the rainforests of the
Amazon. As a result of the relative stability of the
rainforest compared to temperate areas, the fauna
here has had the freedom to evolve and to adapt to
very specialized local conditions. With a few of the
tributaries of the Amazon river still unexplored, there
are numerous species yet to be discovered. Brazil has
five principal ecosystems, each with its own distinct
array of plant life. From forest and swamp to desert
and savanna, these stark contrasts in climate and
landscape have resulted in an immensely vibrant and
diverse flora, much of which is unique to the country.
Aquatic plants
,
including
the versatile water hyacinth,
are commonly found in the
Pantanal, which has the richest
collection of these plants.
AMAZÔNIA
The Amazon rainforest
(see p260-61)
possesses a wealth of flora and fauna. It is
characterized by vast expanses of dense
forest, extensive savannas, and other eco-
systems. Vegetation and wildlife vary because
of the annual flooding of large areas.
THE SERTÃO
The arid
sertão (see p233)
, which comprises
75 percent of the land area in the northeast,
has its own unique wildlife including lizards,
snakes, and foxes. Birdlife manages to
flourish in this minimalist, unfriendly land-
scape, and sheep and goats are also reared.
Blue and gold macaws
are brilliantly colored
large birds that live on
cliffs and high in trees in
rainforests and swamps.
They are considered an
endangered species.
Juazeiro
,
a shrub-like tree
indigenous to the
sertão
, is used in
wine-making and
medicine, as a
hair tonic, and
for timber.
Mandacaru cactus
is a
symbol of rebirth and
resilience in the arid
sertão
. According to
local legend, this tree-
like cactus with fragrant
blossoms originates on
the site of a massacre.
Aguapé
is
an invasive
floating plant with
medicinal properties.
Found in the wetlands
of the Pantanal and
Amazônia, it acts as a
natural water filter.
