the story of this magnificent, old forest is a complex one, as recent times have seen it challenged by deforestation and human development, threatening its very existence.  it is listed as one of 25 of the world's biodiversity hotspots that have lost at least 70% of their original vegetation cover, yet together are home to more than 60% of the earth's species.

looking specifically at the state of rio de janeiro, it is estimated that at the time of the portuguese arrival in brazil, the atlantic forestcovered 98 percent of rio de janeiro state's, territory. currently, the distribution of the forest in the state, is mainly divided into four solid blocks, which made up 35 percent of its area, whilst the rest was scattered into small fragmented areas of coverage. this adds to the challenges of the forest, as it is no longer connected, and thus more difficult to regenerate.