the atlantic forest biome, which occupies the entire atlantic continental shelf of the state of rio de janeiro, is defined by the presence of several forest vegetations, and varying altitudes.

the flora is almost exclusively forests and grasslands, with atlantic forest formations divided in predominantly dense and mixed rain forests (araucaria), semideciduous / semiseasonal forests  where 20-50% of the trees lose their leaves in the dry season, and a limited presence of deciduous / seasonal forests, in which more than 50% of the trees lose their leaves in the dry season.

the mata atlântica is classified according to both, type of vegetation and altitude.    in regards to the types of greenery, the forest is comprised of a variety of different vegetation systems, which vary in occurrence and density - including dense, open and mixed.