Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves

The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves are a serial World Heritage property made up of multiple protected areas in southeastern Brazil that conserve remnants of the Atlantic Forest biome. The network protects a high number of endemic plant and animal species and samples of varied forest types.

Across the reserves visitors encounter humid montane and lowland forests, waterfalls and trails for short to moderate hikes; many reserves have lookout points and visitor centres offering guided walks. Birdwatching and searching for endemic mammals, amphibians and orchids are primary activities, with distances and facilities varying by reserve from short boardwalks to multi-kilometre trails.

Reserves within the property were created at different times by state, federal and private initiatives to protect remaining Atlantic Forest fragments from longstanding clearance and land-use change. Conservation, restoration and scientific monitoring have been ongoing to maintain biodiversity values and ecological connectivity.

The reserves are distributed across the southeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil, primarily within the states of São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina, in a matrix of mountain ranges, coastal hills and plateaus. They lie several tens to a few hundred kilometres from major urban centres such as São Paulo depending on the specific reserve chosen.

• Extent and scope: The property is a serial group of protected areas that together preserve a patchwork of Atlantic Forest remnant ecosystems across São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina.
• Best time for wildlife observation: Good wildlife viewing is often seasonal; early morning is best for bird activity and mammal detection in the forested reserves.

What to See #

• Reserve network: Composed of multiple protected units distributed across the southeastern Atlantic Forest region, including state and national parks and private reserves that conserve remaining forest fragments and endemic species.