Area of Study: Rainforest

The Atlantic Forest is simultaneously one of the most biodiverse as well as one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Over the past 200 years, much of the Atlantic Forest has disappeared- creating an archipelago of small patches of forest divided by impenetrable roads, a 187-kilometre pipeline for oil and petrol, pasture, and agriculture. Habitat fragmentation causes a significant issue to many species. A habitat of adequate size, in this case a landscape where the individual pieces of forest are connected, is vital to support wildlife access to food, water and shelter. While much of this unique landscape has been destroyed, it is not too late to reverse biodiversity loss in this area. There is hope of conserving and restoring the forest for both people and nature. Numerous corridors are being constructed to allow wildlife passage, and great swaths of land have been bought and are in the process of being restored. While many issues remain, the underlying message of my project is: if we care and act, a great part of what was once the Atlantic Forest could be a rainforest again within our lifetime.