From the Photographer...

Atlantic Forest and Orgãos Mountains, in Brazil's Parana State © Marci Eggers

Earlier this year, I traveled to one of Brazil's most spectacular -- yet imperiled -- forests. The Atlantic Forest, which also stretches into Paraguay and Argentina, has some of the highest concentrations of flora and fauna species on Earth, despite the fact that only 7 percent of it remains due to centuries of logging and ranching.

I was fortunate to visit one of our forest restoration projects, which not only benefits the one-of-a-kind biological diversity found in the Atlantic Forest, but also provides jobs to the people living in this amazing place.

When I took this photo I was standing in the middle of the Guaraqueçaba Climate Action Project, where The Nature Conservancy has been supporting forest restoration projects with its local partner SPVS since 2000. Over the next 40 years, these projects are expected to offset carbon dioxide emissions, which are a major contributor to global climate change.

The photo overlooks the Cachoeira River, which cuts through the most intact tract of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. In the distance you can see the stunning Orgãos Mountain Range, in southern Brazil's Parana State. Lurking in its lush, steep hillsides are the likes of jaguars, mountain lions, and several species of monkeys. It was a marvelously sunny day to soak in this amazing view.

Anita Diederichsen, our Atlantic Forest scientist who was traveling with me, told me not to be deceived by this pastoral scene, that there was something completely unnatural in it. She asked if I could spot what it was, and then pointed me to the bright green grasses on the riverbank ... an "invasive alien species" from Africa.

"Invasive alien species" sounded scary, and the grasses are quite scary for both locals and conservationists. Ranchers introduced the grasses as a forage grass for water buffaloes about 30 years ago, but the grasses have become a major threat to the Atlantic Forest's native plants and animals.

These African grasses are so stubborn that it's difficult for native species to take root. In fact, some African grass species are able to penetrate the water's surface along riverbanks and cause serious damage plants and animals by changing the water temperature. Needless to say, this has a significant impact on the communities who depend upon the Cachoeira River for fishing.

The Nature Conservancy is leading the charge against invasive alien species in Brazil. With more than 300 of these invasive species already identified, the Conservancy is working with Brazilian policymakers to develop a legal framework to prevent the introduction of new invasive species and to control species already there.

On the ground at the Guaraqueçaba project, patient and dedicated forest restoration efforts are beginning to take root as the shade of new trees cuts off the sunshine to the grasses, ultimately killing them. Slowly but surely, we're making progress against this enemy and bringing the Atlantic Forest back.

Marci Eggers is the Associate Director of Marketing Programs with The Nature Conservancy's South America Conservation Region.

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On Location
Learn more about The Nature Conservancy's Brazil program and its work in the Atlantic Forest.

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