In 2020, it was established that every May 27th the Trinational Day of the Atlantic Forest should be celebrated, a symbolic date to reflect on the challenges for the conservation of this important ecosystem. Shared by Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, this area is home to emblematic species such as the jaguar, the tapir, the anteater, and a wide variety of plants.
However, what we see today is less than 25% of the original forested area. “It is the second biome with the greatest biodiversity in South America after the Amazon. But a large part has been intensely transformed,” says LucÃa Lazzari, Forest Coordinator of the Wildlife Foundation Argentina.
## A trinational network to restore the jungle
In Argentina, the heart of the Atlantic Forest of Alto Paraná is concentrated, popularly known in the country as the Misiones jungle. In recent years, the promotion of productive activities has led to deforestation mainly in the biological corridors used by wildlife.
“We have protected areas, but they are becoming disconnected from each other due to the loss of forest. Jungle blocks are increasingly fragmented,” says Lazzari.
The Trinational Network for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest focuses on the recovery of these corridors. This initiative brings together more than 50 institutions from Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, including NGOs, universities, government agencies, small producers, and indigenous communities.
“We want the fauna to have the possibility to move safely through the forest. The challenge lies in restoring key areas, as well as finding productive activities more compatible with the environment,” notes Lazzari.
The Network aims to restore 1.6 million hectares, promoting multisectoral work among the three countries. In 2022, it was recognized by the United Nations as one of the Flagship Initiatives within the framework of the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.
## Biodiversity at risk
The biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest is striking. It contains about 20,000 plant species, 1,100 bird species, 300 mammal species, and around 800 species of amphibians and reptiles.
One of the emblematic cases is the jaguar (Panthera onca). According to population estimates from 2020, around 100 specimens of these felines inhabit the Atlantic Forest of Alto Paraná (a region shared by Argentina and Brazil). Studies indicate that their population densities are low and that actions are needed to prevent local extinction.
“It is a top predator, it needs a large area to feed. By conserving the jaguar, we are preserving the entire habitat and the species that coexist with it,” explains Lazzari.
In addition to habitat loss due to land use change, threats to wildlife include pressure from poaching and roadkill.
Another factor that is increasingly affecting this biome are extreme weather events. Prolonged droughts have led this tropical forest to suffer more forest fires.
