away from the waters, the coastal zone is also a popular nesting and migration land for birds, with over 100 species found in the region. some of the birds in the zone are full time inhabitants of the region, whilst other visit during large seasonal migrations, with some of the most popular the audubon's shearwater (puffinus lherminieri), the magnificent frigatebird (magnificens fregata), and the brown booby (sula leuco-gaster).

the incredible biodiversity of rio de janeiro's coastal zone is a genuine spectacle, attracting all manner of visitors, from tourists to scientists, to marvel at the biological harmony.  it plays a huge role in the stability of the region and the populations that live there. naturally the ecosystems of the region have a number of important functions, which include the prevention of flooding and coastal erosion, protection against storms, the recycling of nutrients, and the provision of resources.