BookMarcia C.M. Marques, Carlos E.V. Grelle, editors.
Springer Nature eBook.
Summary: The Atlantic Forest is one of the 36 hotspots for biodiversity conservation worldwide. It is a unique, large biome (more than 3000 km in latitude; 2500 in longitude), marked by high biodiversity, high degree of endemic species and, at the same time, extremely threatened. Approximately 70% of the Brazilian population lives in the area of this biome, which makes the conflict between biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of the human population a relevant issue. This book aims to cover: 1) the historical characterization and geographic variation of the biome; 2) the distribution of the diversity of some relevant taxa; 3) the main threats to biodiversity, and 4) possible opportunities to ensure the biodiversity conservation, and the economic and social sustainability. Also, it is hoped that this book can be useful for those involved in the development of public policies aimed at the conservation of this important global biome.
Contents:
Part 1: Historical and biogeographical aspects
The Atlantic Forest: an introduction to the megadiverse forest of Southern America
The Atlantic Forest Ecological History: from pre-history to the Anthropocene
The North-eastern Atlantic Forest: biogeographical, historical and current aspects in the Sugarcane Zone
The Hileia Baiana
an assessment of natural and historical aspects of the land use and degradation of the central corridor of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
The southern Atlantic Forest: Use, degradation, and perspectives for conservation
Part II - Biodiversity
Tree diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: biases and general patterns using different sources of information
Vascular Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest: diversity and community ecology
Social Insects of the Atlantic Forest
Tetrapod diversity in the Atlantic Forest: maps and gaps
Freshwater Studies in Atlantic Forest: general overview and prospects
Part III - Threats
Land-cover changes and an uncertain future: will the Brazilian Atlantic Forest lose the chance to become a hopespot?
Climate change and biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest: best climatic models, predicted changes and impacts, and adaptation options
Non-native species introductions, invasions, and biotic homogenization in the Atlantic Forest
Causes and consequences of large-scale defaunation in the Atlantic forest
Pollination systems in the Atlantic Forest: characterization, threats, and opportunities
IV
Opportunities
Atlantic Forest: ecosystem services linking people and biodiversity
Changing the agriculture paradigm in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: the importance of agroforestry
Engaging people for large-scale forest restoration: Governance lessons from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil
The Atlantic Forest Trail: connecting people, biodiversity and protected areas
Conservation initiatives in the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Financing conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Integrating researchers for understanding the biodiversity in Atlantic Forest
The future of the Atlantic Forest.