Uncovering the First Reforestation Project in the 19th-Century Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest: Insights from Wood Anatomy and Historical Analysis

A groundbreaking study has uncovered the first large-scale reforestation project in 19th-century Brazil, mapping trees planted as early as 1862 in Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca Forest. Using tree-ring dating, wood anatomy, and historical analysis, researchers identified Cedrela odorata, Copaifera lucens, and Lafoensia glyptocarpa as key species employed in this pioneering effort to restore the Atlantic Rainforest. This approach not only sheds light on one of the world's earliest successful urban reforestation programs but also provides critical insights for modern forest management and climate change research. The findings underscore the importance of ecological restoration in Brazilian ecosystems, offering a historical blueprint for addressing today's environmental challenges.

Sales, G. P. d. S., Costa, W. S. d., Pierre, R. M., Callado, C. H., & Guedes-Bruni, R. R. (2026). Uncovering the First Reforestation Project in the 19th-Century Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest: Insights from Wood Anatomy and Historical Analysis. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 14(01), 423–436. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2026.141023