Young EcoLeaders of the Brazilian Rainforest

First of all we want to thank you for supporting our forest restoration. Do you remember that Giving Tuesday is coming up? It's on 3 December. We're counting on your help to continue our reforestation and environmental education work. We'd like to share some incredible images of the biodiversity of the Atlantic Rainforest here at the NGO. All these images and videos are living proof of our biodiversity and allow for a unique and rich experience for our EcoLeaders and volunteers. Happy reading, and have a great week!

The richness of fauna through the eyes of a volunteer
On World Animal Day, celebrated on October 4th, we share with you the richness of some of the fauna of our Atlantic Forest biome here in Iracambi through the eyes of volunteer Isabel. Isabel has been with us for just over a month and is capturing beautiful and valuable images of the animals. In this video, she tells us a little about this close contact with the fauna in her daily life. Thank you, Isa, for this beautiful and powerful work! 

The Atlantic Rainforest is one of the most biodiverse biomes on the planet, with 6,498 catalogued animal species, 2,001 of which are endemic (found only in a specific region). It is also one of the most threatened. Of the 1,253 species on the list of endangered fauna in Brazil, 507 are from the Atlantic Forest (7.8%), of which 328 are endemic. The data comes from the Biodiversity Extinction Risk Assessment System of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).

The presence of animals in Iracambi is one of the indicators of the health of the ecosystem, biodiversity, and reflects 25 years of work in forest restoration, environmental conservation, natural resource management, research and education for sustainability. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAs91zVus7z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Cameras trap monitor the presence of animals in the forest

Let’s take a look at the forest? On September 22, when Fauna Defense Day is celebrated, we’re sharing with you a little about the Intelligent Forests project, developed here in Iracambi to monitor the health of the forest. In this video, volunteer coordinator Gabriela Soares shows how biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest is monitored using trap cameras.

These are camera traps placed at strategic points and used to take a closer look at the fauna, i.e. the presence of animals in the forest. Hit play and see how the cameras work with Gabi! The information on fauna obtained through the camera traps is just one part of an extensive diagnosis of the forest ecosystem, which also includes data on vegetation, soil, water, climate and sounds.

This work allows us to quantify and monitor changes, as well as develop scientifically validated, data-based reference conditions for forest restoration. Pretty cool, right?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAOSvwcuBpu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bush dogs caught on camera in the forest

Did you want to see images of the fauna captured by our camera traps? Then play and check out two videos of this pair of bush dogs (Cerdocyon thous) recorded by the camera trap installed in the forest.

The information on fauna provided by the camera traps is just one part of a comprehensive diagnosis of the forest ecosystem, which also includes data on vegetation, soil, water, climate and sounds. The presence of animals is an important indicator of biodiversity. 

Did you know that? Bush dogs usually travel in pairs and are nocturnal. They measure between 57 cm and 77 cm in length. Their tails vary from 22 cm to 41 cm. They weigh between 4.5 kg and 8.5 kg. Their coat is light gray and they have dark legs and rounded ears. 

Every tree planted is a step toward a balanced ecosystem and the preservation of the species that call these areas home.

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