the área de proteção ambiental das brisasis one of the last unspoiled sandbank areas in rio de janeiro, and extends through several  habitat types - beach, sandbank swamp, salt marsh vegetation, and even rainforest.

also present is a stretch of well preserved woods, with large fig trees, sapindaceae (matayba elaeagnoides), imbiruçus, many bromeliads, cinnamon, and vines.

plants such as the matayba have been used in folk medicinedue to their diuretic, stimulant, expectorant, anti-helmintic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.

one of the most important assents of this area are the various animals that populate the reserve.