Lush Brazilian forest with towering Araucaria trees, symbolizing forest regeneration.

Can Restoring Forests Save Brazil's Iconic Ecosystems?

Jordan Keane in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 3 min read.

"A new study reveals critical insights into the natural regeneration of Brazil's Mixed Ombrophilous Forest and offers hope for its future."

Brazil's Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, a unique ecosystem primarily found in the southern states, faces severe threats from deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization. Patches of this forest also exist in high-altitude areas of Southeastern Brazil, such as the Campos do Jordão plateau. This makes it a critical area for understanding forest dynamics and conservation strategies.

A recent study published in Hoehnea investigates the floristic and structural differences between mature and regenerating components of a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest within the Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão. The goal? To develop hypotheses about the forest's successional trajectory and inform conservation efforts.

This research highlights the delicate balance within these forests and underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation actions to protect key species and ensure the long-term health of this precious ecosystem.

Decoding the Forest: What the Study Revealed

Lush Brazilian forest with towering Araucaria trees, symbolizing forest regeneration.

The research team established fifty permanent plots (10 × 20 meters) to sample mature trees (defined as having a circumference at breast height (CBH) of 15 cm or greater). Within each of these plots, five sub-plots (1 × 1 meter) were used to assess the regenerating component – saplings and young trees with a height of 30 cm or more, but a CBH less than 15 cm.

Here's a snapshot of what they found:

Mature Component: 1,770 individuals were identified, representing 58 species, 38 genera, and 26 families. The Shannon diversity index (H') was 3.08, with an equitability (J) of 0.73.
Regenerating Component: 576 individuals were sampled, comprising 55 species, 39 genera, and 23 families. The diversity was slightly higher (H' = 3.41), with an equitability of 0.84.

The data indicates a rich biodiversity within both the mature and regenerating sections of the forest. However, it also suggests subtle differences in species composition and abundance that can inform conservation strategies.

A Call to Action: Protecting Brazil's Forests

The study emphasizes the urgent need for in-situ conservation measures, particularly those focused on coniferous species like Araucaria angustifolia. These species, vital to the forest's structure and function, are struggling to regenerate naturally.

Active management strategies might include:

Prioritizing conservation efforts not only preserves biodiversity but also maintains the ecological services these forests provide, including carbon sequestration and water regulation. The future of Brazil’s Mixed Ombrophilous Forest depends on informed action and dedicated conservation efforts.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s2236-89062012000300004, Alternate LINK

Title: Estrutura E Aspectos Da Regeneração Natural De Floresta Ombrófila Mista No Parque Estadual De Campos Do Jordão, Sp, Brasil

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Hoehnea

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Rose Pereira Muniz De Souza, Vinícius De Castro Souza, Rodrigo Trassi Polisel, Natália Macedo Ivanauskas

Published: 2012-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, and why is it important?

The Mixed Ombrophilous Forest is a unique ecosystem in Brazil, primarily located in the southern states and high-altitude areas like the Campos do Jordão plateau. It is significant because of its rich biodiversity and the threats it faces from deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization. Its importance lies in its critical role in understanding forest dynamics and informing conservation strategies to protect its unique characteristics.

How did the researchers conduct their study of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest?

The study utilized fifty permanent plots (10 × 20 meters) to sample mature trees, defined as those with a circumference at breast height (CBH) of 15 cm or greater. Within these plots, five sub-plots (1 × 1 meter) were used to assess the regenerating component, including saplings and young trees with a height of 30 cm or more but a CBH less than 15 cm. This method allowed researchers to compare the mature and regenerating sections of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, revealing differences in species composition and abundance.

What were the key findings regarding the biodiversity in the mature and regenerating sections of the forest?

In the mature component, the study identified 1,770 individuals representing 58 species, 38 genera, and 26 families. The Shannon diversity index (H') was 3.08, with an equitability (J) of 0.73. In the regenerating component, 576 individuals were sampled, comprising 55 species, 39 genera, and 23 families, with a slightly higher diversity (H' = 3.41) and equitability of 0.84. This data underscores the rich biodiversity of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest and points to subtle differences between mature and regenerating sections that could influence conservation efforts.

What actions does the study recommend for the conservation of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest?

The research highlights the urgent need for in-situ conservation measures within the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. Targeted actions should focus on coniferous species such as *Araucaria angustifolia*, which play a vital role in the forest's structure and function but face challenges in natural regeneration. The implications of these findings necessitate specific strategies to ensure the long-term health and survival of the ecosystem, addressing the threats posed by deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization.

Why is Araucaria angustifolia important in the context of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest?

*Araucaria angustifolia* is a coniferous species that is vital to the structure and function of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. The study emphasizes the importance of protecting and supporting the natural regeneration of this species because it is struggling. Conservation measures that focus on this species are important for the ecosystem's overall health and long-term survival. The implications of this point to the specific need for targeted conservation actions.