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Rio forest example of natural regeneration capabilities
23/08/2010
One of the world's most iconic urban forests – Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca forest – is testament to the power of forests to regenerate and restore themselves after catastrophic human impact.
Much of the forest – which is part of Brazil's Atlantic forest ecosystem – had to be replanted by hand after being decimated over the course of more than 250 years.
The forest was all but completely destroyed between the late 1500's and mid 1800's, first by developers seeking timber and fuel for the burgeoning city, then by prospectors seeking to farm the land and make their fortunes in sugar cane and coffee.
An order in 1817 first issued regulations to protect the few remaining patches of forest, but it was not until the absence of forest began threatening drinking water in 1860, that Emperor Pedro II issued an order to reforest the barren hills.
Hundreds of thousands of seedlings were planted by hand, and filled in with natural regeneration and municipal regulation. The reintroduction of native flora and fauna that had been driven out was partially successful, but the forest has yet to recover all of its natural biodiversity.
Today, the Tijuca forest – which can be seen in many of the photos of Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue - is the largest urban forest in the world, attracting around two million visitors annually.
Much of the forest – which is part of Brazil's Atlantic forest ecosystem – had to be replanted by hand after being decimated over the course of more than 250 years.
The forest was all but completely destroyed between the late 1500's and mid 1800's, first by developers seeking timber and fuel for the burgeoning city, then by prospectors seeking to farm the land and make their fortunes in sugar cane and coffee.
An order in 1817 first issued regulations to protect the few remaining patches of forest, but it was not until the absence of forest began threatening drinking water in 1860, that Emperor Pedro II issued an order to reforest the barren hills.
Hundreds of thousands of seedlings were planted by hand, and filled in with natural regeneration and municipal regulation. The reintroduction of native flora and fauna that had been driven out was partially successful, but the forest has yet to recover all of its natural biodiversity.
Today, the Tijuca forest – which can be seen in many of the photos of Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue - is the largest urban forest in the world, attracting around two million visitors annually.
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