the region is comprised of a rather complex net of swamps and forested strips of land surrounded by streams of water which create a very complex ecosystem.

in the 1974 the need to protect this diversity of wildlife led to the creation of the 'reserva biológica e arquelógica de guaratiba', in english 'biological and archeological reserve of guaratiba'.

this environmental protection area covers 36 square kilometers and extends from the shores of the barra de guaratiba neighborhood, in the south, to the ilha de guaratiba region, up north.