The History of Fragmentation of the Lowland Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

This short review summarizes and links classical works with recent publications to give an overview about the main processes of fragmentation of the lowland Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco since colonial times and to show how this process continued during the agricultural revolution up to the present. The lowland Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco is an extremely endangered endemism centre and many of its biota are at the rim of extinction. Sugarcane has always been the main economic factor in the forest zone and so up to now sugarcane fields dominate this area. The broad river valleys were the first to be used for sugarcane cultivation. Since the availability of industrially produced fertilizers the large but nutrient-poor tablelands or tabuleiros were used as well. The presently still forested sites are simply not suitable for the cultivation of sugarcane due to their strong inclination or necessary to preserve the water resources. They are protected by law, nevertheless their maintenance is not guaranteed. For the growing demand of biofuels the production of sugarcane turned a focus of international attention.