the study diagnóstico das restingas no brasil (diagnostic of brazilian sandbanks) by sandro menezes silva, of the botanical and biological sciences of the universidade federal do paraná gives a wealth of information on the types of flora and fauna found in sandbanks (restingas), typical of rio de janeiro's state lagoons. 

for visitors interested in a close-up look with amazing nature and perhaps even a glimpse at some alligators (jacarés) the company ecobalsas rio, based at avenida das américas, 700, barra da tijuca, specializes in taking visitors on the lagoas of barra, such as the lagoa da tijuca and lagoa de marapendi - the service can be contacted via email on this link, by calling 21 2132.8053, or via the website on this page.