Araucaria Moist Forests

The Araucaria moist forests ecoregion spans the mountainous areas of Southern Atlantic Brazil and extends into northeastern Argentina. It is a coniferous forest ecoregion of the Atlantic Forest biome.

The Araucaria moist forests cover an area of 216,100 sq km (83,400 sq mi), encompassing a region of mountains and plateaus in the Brazilian states of São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. In addition, they extend into the Misiones Province of northeastern Argentina.

The ecoregion is bordered on the north and west by the Upper Paraná Atlantic forests, on the south by the Pampas and on the east by Serra do Mar coastal forests. The ecoregion lies above 500 m (1,600 ft), rising to 1,600 m (5,200 ft) elevation on the Serra da Mantiqueira.

The Araucaria moist forests have an oceanic temperate climate, frequent frosts during winter, and considerable snowfall in the highest areas. As a result, annual precipitation is high, ranging from 1,300 to 3,000 mm (51 to 118 in) without a dry season.

Flora and Fauna

The ecoregion mainly consists of evergreen subtropical moist forests, with a canopy made up of Ocotea pretiosa and O. catharinense (Lauraceae), Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Myrtaceae), Mimosa scabrella, and Parapiptadenia rigida (both Leguminosae).

In addition, Brazilian araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia) forms an emergent layer, growing up to 45 m (148 ft) in height.

The forests are significant from an evolutionary perspective as a relict of mixed coniferous and broad-leafed forests that were once much more widespread. They are home to many taxa characteristics of the Antarctic flora.

The Araucaria moist forests are recognized as an important endemic bird area. In addition, the ecoregion is home to several threatened species endemic to the Atlantic forests, including the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba) and the red-spectacled parrot (Amazona pretrei).

Protection Status

These moist forests have been reduced in area by approximately 87%. Mixed forests represent the remaining vegetation. Few large blocks of habitat are preserved by official protection.

_{Map depicting the location of the Araucaria Moist Forests ecoregion (in green)}