there are many plant species in the atlantic forest restingas, as well a large number of native tree species, such as the myrtaceae and the leguminosae. during the last decades, the restingas of the atlantic coast have been reduced by more than 90 percent, but to this day still host a number of endangered species.

home to gorgeous restingas, the island of marambaia, in the zona oeste (west zone) of rio de janeiro, is one of the least reserves of atlantic forest to be still completely untouched, un-inhabited, and not accessible for general touristic purposes. along the beaches of ipanema and leblon, small patches of restinga are being restored next to the promenade.