New sources of biological data supporting environmental history of a tropical forest of south-eastern Brazil

A pioneering reforestation project in the Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has been re-evaluated using integrated methodologies to uncover its environmental history. The study identified surviving trees from the 19th-century plantations, pinpointed previously unknown planting locations, and revealed the strategic selection of species—prioritizing native trees for wood quality while meeting market demands. Over 33 years, approximately 155,000 trees were planted (with about 110,000 surviving), comprising at least 107 species, primarily native ones. This project, covering roughly 330 hectares, aimed to restore micro-basins while generating long-term economic value, marking a significant shift in silvicultural practices in Brazil. The research redefines the forest's ecological understanding by linking its development to broader societal and environmental dynamics.

Sales, G. P. d. S., & Guedes-Bruni, R. R. (2023). New Sources of Biological Data Supporting Environmental History of a Tropical Forest of South-Eastern Brazil. Historia Ambiental Latinoamericana Y Caribeña (HALAC) Revista de La Solcha, 13(2), 281–308. https://doi.org/10.32991/2237-2717.2023v13i2.p281-308