Biomes

There is no better way to explain the Brazilian natural diversity and touristic potential for ecotourism and adventure travel than dividing it in Biomes. A biome is an extension of area defined by similarities in weather, geography and biological characteristics such as flora and fauna.

 

The combination of nature and adventure is unique in Brazil. The huge territorial extension and the tropical weather constitute one of the biggest biodiversities of the world. In Brazil you can find not only the forest with a great variety of species – there are more than 55 thousand plants and 700 birds – but also paradisiacal beaches with golden sands and surreal landscapes.

 

Because of its continental dimensions, Brazil has a rich diversity of biomes. The fields, coastal forests and mountains are perfect for practicing many adventure activities, such as trekking, rafting, bird watching, rappelling and many others.

 

 

Amazon

It occupies a huge part of Northern Brazil, making of it a truly spectacle. Its incredible vegetation includes trees up to 60 meters high. This preserved scenery is one of the richest in biodiversity of the world, home for almost 65 ethnic groups and it’s also where you will find the Amazon River.

 

Birdwatching is one of the most desired activities: there are more than 700 species. Trekking and boat tours also offer you a great opportunity to visit this natural paradise.

 

It’s estimated that almost 30% of all vegetation in Latin America is in Amazon. The forest, with 4.1 million square meters, is very dense and home for the main hydrographical basins of the country – that can reach 7 million square kilometers.

 

The rivers are the main kind of transportation in this truly natural paradise. Besides Amazonas, there are Solimões, Madeira, Negro and many other rivers around this region. While boat touring, you can observe Tucanos (exotic bird), Araras(tropical bird), Cotias (kind of mammal), Jabutis(turtles) and a great diversity of reptiles.

 

 

Caatinga

Even with a drier weather, the Caatinga is one of the most beautiful and expressive Brazilian biomes. Its extraordinary twisted trees and vegetation: with bushes that are home for an incredible variety of animal species. During the rainy season, the scenery changes, with green leaves and flowers of different colors.

 

The Caatinga is so diverse that 327 species, including mammals and birds, only exist there. The vegetation is also important: there are almost 330 species that only grow there. The astonishing landscape has also many rivulets, perfect for bathing while trekking.

 

This kind of biome is only found in Brazil and occupies around 10% of the Brazilian territory. Because of the high biodiversity, the Caatinga is considered a rich genetic bank.

 

In this biome, that extends from the North of Minas Gerais up to the Northeast states, such as Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, you can find Preás (little rodent also know as guinea pig), deers, armadillos, monkeys, and, if you’re lucky, the Ariranha-azul, a rare bird threatened with extinction.

 

 

Cerrado

The Cerrado, that occupies almost 25% of the Brazilian territory, is like a savanna in tropical weather. This beautiful region is home for 800 species of birds and almost 200 mammals.

 

Cerrado has about the size of five European countries and has one of the most incredible varieties of flora along the country, with more than 10 thousand species of plants. Its landscape, perfect for practicing adventure tourism, is crossed by crystalline rivers: ideal for baths while trekking. The Cerrado varies a lot along its almost 2 million square kilometers through 11 Brazilian states.

 

Cerrado is one of the most important biomes of the country, mainly because it is one of the oldest. You can discover anteaters, armadillos, wolves and almost 1 thousand species of butterflies. The region still has one of the main water sources of the whole Latin America: Platina, San Francisco and Amazon Basin.

 

 

Atlantic Rainforest

The Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest gives life to the Brazilian coast. The green forest surrounds perfectly the paradisiacal beaches of the Brazilian seaside. With many rivers and refreshing waterfalls, it’s one of the main attractions for practicing ecotourism in the country.

 

The vegetation is extremely rich, but the most impressive thing is the fauna. There you will find from the rare Micos-leões-dourados (golden lion tamarin), endangered specie of monkey, to the enigmatic Onças-pintadas (jaguar). It’s more than 1.3 million square meters of exuberating forest.

 

At some levels this biodiversity is considered one of the biggest of the world. The variety that goes along the country is enormous. You can see Jacarés-de-papo-amarelo(specie of alligator), Papagaio-de-cara-roxa (an exotic purple parrot) and also Botos-tucuxi(specie of Dolphin). During some research in Reserva Biológica Do Una, in the state of Bahia, North American researchers identified 450 different species of trees in only one hectare of forest.

 

Mata Atlântica, had a main role during the colonization of the country, and impressed the Portuguese that arrived here in 1500. Preserved even nowadays, this massive forest keeps in some parts, besides animals and plants, the rich history of Brazil.

 

 

Pantanal

The Pantanal has an unbelievable environment. Its wetlands have marvelous landscapes and a variety of species as big as its area. There are almost 230 thousand square kilometers of untouched environments to give habitat to more than 650 species of birds, 240 of fishes and almost 130 mammals.

 

Know as  UNESCO World Heritage, Pantanal is a big mixture of colors that changes at each curve of the river. With huge National Parks, that are home for an enormous variety of exotic species, this biome is one of the most magnificent of the whole world.

 

Extremely delicate, Pantanal has almost 2/3 of its area covered by water during the rainy season. When the water evaporates some rich humus is left and it feeds the plants of the region, and by this process, fauna and flora are regenerated.

 

In between the rich diversity – there are more than 1100 species of butterflies and 100 of reptiles – you can find one special fish called Jaú, the biggest of the whole Pantanal. With almost 1.5 meters, the huge Jaú has almost 120 kilos. There are more impressive numbers: in Pantanal it’s possible to find Sucuris (anaconda) of 4.5 meters, birds, such as Tuiuiú with 2 meters, alligators with 2.5 meters and the incredible Onças-pintadas (jaguars) with 150 kilos.

 

 

Pampas

With an extension of 210.000 square kilometers in the south of the country, the wonderful Pampas forms one of the most spectacular sceneries of Brazil.

 

With scrubby vegetation and few trees, some parts of the region are crossed by huge defiles that form one of the biggest and most beautiful canyons of the world. The plateaus can be as tall as a building of 200 floors.

 

Located especially in the south of Brazil, it’s localized mainly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul like a huge green carpet full of fauna and flora and perfect for the most different adventure activities. There are hundreds of mammals and birds, some of them are Lobo-guará and the Curruíra do campo.