with vegetation that includes some of the last remaining parts of the mata atlântica(atlantic rainforest) in south-eastern brazil, large areas of salt marshes, including beaches and dunes, as well as mangroves, the area is used for scientific research investigating unique ecosystems.

much of the area is considered a permanent conservation area, and construction can no longer take place there.   the site is available to school trips and it had been used on various occasions for the filming of the globo tv network's telenovelas (brazilian soap operas).