From Ouro Preto to Diamantina: remaking Spix and Martius’ journey in 1818

A segment of Spix and Martius’ historic 1817–1820 expedition through Brazil was re-traced in 2017, revealing significant environmental and urban transformations over two centuries. The journey, from Ouro Preto to Diamantina, documented changes in landscapes, settlements, and ecosystems, including the impact of a 2015 disaster on Mariana’s small towns and the preservation of the Serra da Caraça National Park and Sanctuary. The study highlights the continuity of natural and cultural heritage along this route, bridging the Atlantic Rainforest and Cerrado biomes at Itambé Mountain (2052 m). This re-enactment provides a comparative framework for understanding historical ecological shifts in one of Brazil’s most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bolle, W. (2017). From Ouro Preto to Diamantina: remaking Spix and Martius’ journey in 1818. Pandaemonium Germanicum, 21(33), 16–35. https://doi.org/10.11606/1982-8837213316