Biomes
Biomes
Framed by two biomes – the Atlantic Rainforest and the Caatinga scrublands – the Lajedo dos Beija-Flores hummingbird sanctuary is surrounded by Liana Forest. This transition zone is home to a wide diversity of endemic species, many of them also endangered.
Within a radius of less than ten kilometers (six miles), biomes as a different as the Atlantic Rainforest and the Caatinga scrublands emerge in the incredible Liana Forest, which is still almost unknown and little studied.
And at in the heart of all this natural beauty lies the Lajedo dos Beija-Flores hummingbird sanctuary.
Vine Forest
Still largely unstudied, this unique forest forms a narrow transition zone between the Atlantic Rainforest and the Caatinga scrublands, running from the Brejões region in Bahia State to northern Minas Gerais State.
As suggested by its name, its dense undergrowth consists largely of lianas. Featuring aspects of both neighboring biomes, its groundcover consists mainly of large bromeliads.
Huge swathes of Liana Forest were cleared for cattle raising during the XX century, with the largest remaining patches now protected in the Boa Nova municipality.
This transition zone is also home to rare endemic species, including the slender antbird (Rhopornis ardesiacus), which has become a symbol of efforts to conserve these fragments.
Surrounding the eastern section of the Lajedo dos Beija-Flores hummingbird sanctuary, the unique characteristics of this Liana Forest make it particularly significant in terms of biodiversity, although not formally classified as a biome.
Much effort is still required to ensure its protection, conserving some of Brazil’s most complex and enigmatic plant life.
Caatinga
Found only in Brazil, its Portuguese name (Mata de Cipó) comes from the Tupi-Guarani word for ‘white forest’, describing its appearance during the dry season. Covering some 10% of Brazil, it thrives all over the Northeast, extending as far south as Minas Gerais State.
Characteristics specific to this semi-arid transition zone include high temperatures and sparse but irregular rainfall limited to certain seasons.
Nevertheless, the apparently inhospitable Caatinga scrublands are home to more than 3,400 described plant species, particularly cacti like the long-spined Turk’s cap (Melanocactus ernestii), which is a real hummingbird magnet.
Around a thousand species of other animals have been recorded, including fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Some 200 of them are endemic, with hundred and 182 endangered.
This biome is also home to dryland communities. Known as sertanejos, their hardy residents know how to survive in this apparently hostile environment, which welcomes everyone who is perceptive enough to admire its beauty.
In the Western segment of the Boa Nova municipality, the Caatinga scrublands consist mainly of trees and shrubs. The Lajedo dos Beija-Flores hummingbird sanctuary is strongly influenced by this biome, in terms of its plants and wildlife.
Atlantic Rainforest
Found in seventeen States, running from Northeast to Southern Brazil, the Atlantic Rainforest is among the most endangered biomes on the planet. Estimates indicate that only around 18% of the original forestlands remain.
Flourishing in a tropical humid climate, with high temperatures and abundant rainfall, the Atlantic Rainforest is a natural biological treasure chest throughout its entire length.
For example, it is home to around 2,200 vertebrate species and 20,000 plant species, with some 200 endemic bird species.
In parallel to all this biodiversity, most of the Brazilian population lives in the Atlantic Rainforest region, depending on its countless eco-services, particularly water. Its rivers, streams and wellsprings supply 3,429 municipalities, with a population of more than 145 million people.
One of these municipalities is Boa Nova. The boundaries encompass hilly areas blanketed by magnificent forests, at altitudes varying from 600 to 1120 meters (feet) above sea-level. These variations endow its plants and wildlife with ample diversity, while its steep slopes encourage the formation of countless waterfalls.
In technical terms, the vegetation is dense ombrophilous, submontane or montane, rich in orchids, mosses, lichens, and tall trees. Particularly noteworthy are species typical of this biome, including the purple glory tree (Tibouchina granulosa) and the jussara palm (Euterpe edulis), together with rare wildlife.
In these rare environments, scientists have discovered bird species that rank Boa Nova as one of Brazil’s major bird conservation hubs. They include Bahia spinetail (Synallaxis cinerea), the Bahia tyrannulet (Phylloscartes beckeri), and the Bahian mouse-colored tapaculo (Scytalopus gonzagai).
