In this Green Ecologist article we want to tell you about one of the most diverse and richest forests in our planet: the Atlantic Forest. Although currently this type of natural environment is found in very specific areas of the planet, such as South America or Spain, the ravages of man and climate change threaten this biome so valuable for life on earth.
Next, we will explain you in a simple way what is the Atlantic Forest, its characteristics and flora and fauna typical of this very special biome.
What is the Atlantic Forest
The Atlantic Forest or Atlantic ForestAs we have already mentioned, it is one of the most biodiverse forests, that is, one of the most biologically rich forested biomes in the world. It is also known as Atlantic Forest and it is made up of a unique series of forest-type ecosystems.
This type of forest can be divided into several different types of habitat, but in general we will differentiate: the atlantic lowland forest, the coastal atlantic forest, typical of the South American area, and the atlantic mixed forest, typical of Spain, specifically the Pyrenees.
In the same way, this biome also includes other associated ecosystems, such as the mangroves or the scrub area, also characteristic of the Spanish Atlantic forest.
Characteristics of the Atlantic forest
To make it much easier for you to understand the main characteristics of the Atlantic Forest, we offer you a list where you can find interesting facts about this special place, which in fact is named that way by ecologists.
- It maintains mild temperatures throughout the year, so that winters do not reach very low temperatures and summers are cool or, at least, not very hot.
- Rainfall in this biome is usually abundant.
- The type of soil on which the typical vegetation of the Atlantic forests develops is called brown earth and is made up of soils very rich in organic matter.
- After the rainy season, a type of soil called podsol develops, which is very characteristic of cold and humid lands.
- Finally, it is important to know that in addition to sheltering many species of plants and animals, the Atlantic forest is also a common environment in which people live, as is the case in some towns in South America and a place with a rural environment. in the north of Spain.
Atlantic forest flora - list of plants and more vegetation
To know part of the Atlantic Forest plants we will divide the species into the two main areas where this type of forest is found. In addition, within the lists of species that you will find below, there are several species in danger of extinction. In fact, it is believed that more than 20% of the flora of the atlantic forest It is in critical condition for its recovery, regardless of whether it is America or Spain.
Flora of the Atlantic forest in Spain
- Vaccinium myirtillus or common blueberry
- Convallaria majalis or lily of the ports
- Neottia nidus-avis or parasitic orchid
- Cypripedium calceolus or lady's shoe
- Fagus sylvatica or common beech
- Corylus avellana or hazelnut
- Sorbus aucuparia or hunter's rowan
- Anemone nemorosa or forest anemone
- Pyrola minor or pirola
- Scilla lilio-hyacinthus or star hyacinth
Flora of the Atlantic Forest in South America
- Alsophyla atrovirens or tree fern
- Ilex paraguariensis or mate grass
- Tabebuia heptaphylla or pink lapacho
- Euterpe edulis palm heart
- Caesalpiniaechinata or Brazilian stick
- Dalbergianigra or Brazilian rosewood
Atlantic forest fauna - list of animals
Finally, we are going to list the Atlantic Forest animals. As in the previous section, we will divide them into two large blocks to differentiate the richness of this type of forest according to the country in which they are found. The biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest presents, for anyone who loves nature, a unique garden where to find species of insects, birds, fish, reptiles and mammals.
As with flora, much of the fauna of the Atlantic forests It is in danger of extinction. However, we want to record that more than 2,000 different species of the animal kingdom live within them and that they still continue to be one of the most valued biomes for its rich biodiversity.
Fauna of the Atlantic forest in Spain
- Capreolus capreolus or roe deer
- Sus scrofa or wild boar
- Meles meles or badger
- Tuesday Tuesday or Marta
- Mustela erminea or ermine
- Mustela nivalis or weasel
- Tetrao urogallus or grouse
- Dryocopus martius or black woodpecker
- Erithacus rubecula or robin
- Parus ater or Chickadee Chickadee
- Regulus regulus or simple wren
- European sitta or nuthatch
- Anguis fragilis or lucion
- Felis silvestris or wild cat
Fauna of the Atlantic forest in South America
- Procnias nudicollis or bellbird
- Harpia harpyja or common harpy
- Amazona vinacea or and vináceo parrot
- Tapirus terrestris or tapir
- Panthera onca or jaguar
- Puma concolor or puma
- Leopardus pardalis and ocelot
- Nasua nasua or coati
- Speothos venaticus or vinegar dog or bush dog
- Eunectes murinus or green anaconda
- Caiman latirostris or alligator overo
If you want to read more articles similar to Atlantic Forest: what is it, characteristics, flora and fauna, we recommend that you enter our Ecosystems category.
