REGUA shapefile map
 
Project Summary

Reserva Ecologica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) protects some of the last remnant areas of Atlantic Forest and have been working since 2001 to protect and restore forests within the Guapiaçu Watershed.

In 2019 REGUA owned 6785 ha (16,700 acres) of land and manages in partnership, a further 7650 ha (18,900 acres) of forest. REGUA has collected seed, grown this on in its nursery and planted over 500,000 native trees of 160 different species, to restore 250 ha of former pasture land.

In 2020 WLT aims to support REGUA to secure an additional 112 ha (277 acres) of priority land through purchasing four separate properties, protecting key areas of high-quality forest and enhancing connectivity between forest areas. The areas are primarily forested, but include 0.6 hectares of pasture which will be reforested.

REGUA will patrol the newly acquired properties with their dedicated ranger team and obtain their legal recognition as a private reserve once purchased.

 
 

Biome

Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests.

Ecoregion

Atlantic Forest/Serra do Mar coastal forests.

Habitats

The reserve is mainly made up of mature forest and recovering secondary forest areas, along with patches of pasture land which are being restored through an active reforestation programme. Forest streams and a wetland area are other important habitats.

Method for Land Protection

Land purchase, site protection by rangers, reforestation.

 
 

Biodiversity

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most important biogeographical regions in the Neotropics, with some 20,000 species of plants, 260+ mammals, over 300 species of reptile, nearly 500 species of amphibian and close to 1000 species of birds. Endemism is considered to account for 44% of all plant species including 3200 endemic tree species, and 30% of the birds.

Intact forest areas are highly diverse, with over 400 tree species per hectare, and many tree species are known to support a myriad of unique endemic bryophytes, mosses and invertebrates and new discoveries are being made on a regular basis.

As of 2019, REGUA’s reserve areas were known to contain species of 73 amphibians, 37 reptiles, 479 birds (120 Atlantic Forest endemics) and 204 odonate (dragonflies). REGUA’s reserve supports a growing population of the Critically Endangered Southern Wooley Spider Monkey (Muriqui) which has total global population of less than 1500 individuals.

 
 

Global Prioritisation

The Atlantic Forest is a global conservation ‘hotspot’ with high degrees of endemism and endangered species. The very high levels of species richness, high levels of endemism, and small fraction of forest cover remaining led to the Brazilian Atlantic forest being listed among the top five global biodiversity hotspots.

 
Lemgruber property, REGUA, Brazil

Main Threats to the Area

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened forest regions in the world, with by the early 21st century only around 7% of the original forest remaining and with an estimated 2% of primary forest still intact.

In Guapiacu, much of the higher elevation forest has been declared as either a National Park (Serra dos Orgaos) or State Park (Tres Picos), however this has not prevented encroachment and forest loss as both Parks contain large areas of private land. Small agricultural holdings and houses on this private land have led to the loss of 11% of the Park’s forests between 1985 and 2010.

Forest clearance on slopes, for pastures and cattle grazing, has led to erosion and soil run off, causing problems for water quality. Hunting, particularly of larger birds and mammals (e.g. tapirs, currassows and guans) remains a threat, particularly close to settlements. Past hunting pressure, which was more acute, has removed several species from all but a few protected areas.

Nursery workers at REGUA Brazil. Credit: Alan Martin.

Local communities

REGUA employs local people to work as park rangers and visitor guides on the reserve, and consults community leaders on decisions that will affect the local population. Local people are also employed to work on tree planting and reforestation projects.

REGUA is also working with schools and groups in the area to help foster an awareness of the complex diversity and conservation importance of their natural surroundings, and to promote a sense of pride and ownership in the work.

 

REGUA - More Information