The Atlantic Forest is found on Brazil's eastern seaboard. It is estimated that originally it made up some 14% of the land area of Brazil. Sadly, in 2008 it makes up only 1.4%. In fact, according to the Nature Conservancy, the Atlantic Forest is considered to be the world's most endangered tropical forest.
Most of the deforestation has taken place in only the last 100 years. The trees have been cut down for timber, and to clear the land for farming. Only 7% of the forest is still well preserved, and even that small percentage is highly fragmented.
Unfortunately for the Atlantic Forest, Brazil's eastern seaboard is also the main site for both population and industry. The huge cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are both located here. And this area accounts for approximately 70% of Brazil's population and around 80% of Brazil's gross domestic product.
So why do we need to support efforts to preserve the Atlantic Forest?
The Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot. It is incredibly rich in flora and fauna. 40% of plants, 27% of mammals, 38% of freshwater fish and an amazing 61% of all amphibians found there are not found anywhere else. Just think of what we will lose if we lose this incredible habitat. Just imagine what we have lost already.
60% of all Brazil's threatened species live in the Atlantic Forest. Populations have been separated as the forest is fragmented. By supporting reforestation projects, we are supporting the re-creation of habitat for threatened species and ensuring their continued survival.
Fresh clean water is becoming an increasingly rare and precious resource the world over. In Brazil, the conversion of the Atlantic Forest into pasture around the city of Sao Paulo has affected both the quantity and quality of water supplying the city. In fact, the destruction of the Atlantic Forest negatively affects the water supply to about 70% of the country's population.
What practical steps can we take to preserve the Atlantic Forest?
Support grass roots efforts to restore the Atlantic Forest. Groups such as SALVEASERRA and their Trees and Education project are a great place to start. Or you can join in the Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign. Donate if you can, but simply raising awareness and spreading the word can make a huge difference.
Illegal logging is still a huge contributor to the deforestation of this area. When buying timber or timber products, do your homework first. Find out where it comes from and how it is grown. If you can't be sure that it doesn't come from the Rainforest, don't buy it.
The Atlantic Forest has been cleared to grow beef and soya beans. Know where your food comes from and how it is grown. The easiest way to make sure you are not harming the rainforest is to eat locally grown food that you know is grown in a sustainable, earth friendly way.
Despite the massive destruction of the Atlantic Forest to date, it can be saved. We all need to do our part. Spread the word!
译文:
拯救大西洋森林
大西洋森林位于巴西东海岸，早前约占巴西陆地面积的14％。可惜的是，到了2008年，仅占1.4％。事实上，即使大西洋得到了自然保护，它还是成为了世界上最大的濒临灭亡的热带雨林。
伐工们砍木造田，乱砍乱伐往往是在最后的一百年出现。只有7％的森林较好地得到了保护，不过这个数字也在锐减。
大西洋森林位于巴西东海岸，那里又是主要的居住和工业区。两大主要城市：约热内卢和圣保罗都在那。该地区约占巴西总人口的70％，拥有80％的国内生产总值。
那么为什么我们要全力保护大西洋森林呢？
大西洋森林物种多样，动植物种类尤为丰富。40％为植物，27％为 哺乳动物，38％为淡水鱼。令人吃惊的是，那儿61％的两栖动物已经灭绝。想想万一是我们失去了自己的住所，我们将失去什么？再想想我们已经失去了什么吧。
大西洋森林里拥有巴西60％濒临灭绝的物种。森林蚕食，人口分散。为了支持重造森林工程，我们正致力于为濒临灭绝的物种重建家园，确保它们的繁衍生存。
全世界淡水越来越稀缺，愈加珍贵。在巴西的圣保罗，由于把大西洋森林转变为牧场已经影响到了这座城市的淡水的水质和数量。
动员民间力量，重建大西洋森林。如一个名叫赛尔维赛亚小组和他们的“树木和教育”项目开了一个好头。要是你能参加“植亿树，保护自然”活动，或者只是很简单地予以关注和广泛宣传，你将改变很多。
不合法的砍伐是造成这个地区过度开采的一个重要原因。当你购买木材或者是木产品时，请你首先给自己把把关——那就是了解东西的来源和它生长的情况。如果你不能确定它是否来自热带雨林，请拒绝购买。
大西洋森林正在被养牛场和大豆种植地侵蚀。去了解一下自己的食物来自何方，如何生长的吧。要是想知道你是否也在破坏热带雨林，最简单的办法，也是全世界最友好的方法是：吃当地来源于合理科学途径的食物。
尽管现在大西洋的破坏相当严重，但是马上拯救的话还来得及。让我们全世界每个人都参与进来吧！