Mata Atlântica Forest Restoration and Conservation Corridor Project

Overview

Location: Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Description: This project focuses on restoring and connecting fragmented areas of the Mata Atlântica rainforest, one of the most biodiverse and threatened biomes in the world. The project aims to create a conservation corridor to facilitate species movement, enhance biodiversity, and improve the overall health of the Mata Atlântica ecosystem.

Project Landscape

Key Features and Benefits

Environmental

• Improved Air Quality: Reforestation helps filter pollutants and improve air quality in the region.
• Enhanced Carbon Sequestration: The project contributes significantly to carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change.
• Increased Water Retention: Restored forests improve water retention in the soil, benefiting local water cycles.
• Reduced Soil Erosion: The project helps prevent soil erosion and maintain soil health.
• Protection of Endangered Species Habitats: Reforestation creates and protects crucial habitats for endangered species in the Mata Atlântica.

Biodiversity

• Increased Biodiversity: The project promotes the growth and diversity of plant and animal species in the Mata Atlântica.
• Habitat Restoration: It restores vital habitats for a wide range of Mata Atlântica species.
• Conservation Corridor: The project establishes a critical corridor that connects fragmented forest patches, allowing for greater species movement and genetic exchange.
• Endemic Species Protection: It focuses on protecting endemic species unique to the Mata Atlântica rainforest.
• Enhanced Ecosystem Resilience: Reforestation strengthens the overall resilience of the Mata Atlântica ecosystem to environmental changes and pressures.

Social

• Job Creation: The project creates employment opportunities for local communities in reforestation, conservation, and related activities.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: It promotes sustainable livelihoods through responsible forestry and ecotourism practices.
• Community Training and Education: The project provides training and education programs on sustainable forest management and conservation.
• Stakeholder Empowerment: It actively involves and empowers local stakeholders in the project's planning and implementation.
• Resource Access: The project can improve access to resources such as timber and non-timber forest products for local communities, while ensuring sustainable harvesting practices.

Potential Impacts

Environmental

• Initial Ecosystem Disruption (Temporary): Planting activities can cause temporary disruption to existing ecosystems.
• Invasive Species Risk: Careful management is needed to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.
• Water Usage: Irrigation may temporarily increase water usage in the project area.
• Noise Pollution (Temporary): Planting activities can generate temporary noise pollution.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure the project's long-term success and adapt to changing conditions.

Biodiversity

• Species Displacement (Temporary): Initial planting may temporarily displace some species.
• Interspecies Competition: Careful species selection is crucial to minimize competition between introduced and native species.
• Monoculture Avoidance: The project prioritizes diverse plantings to avoid monoculture and maintain ecological balance.
• Food Web Impacts: Changes in vegetation can impact local food webs, requiring careful monitoring and management.
• Long-Term Monitoring: Ongoing biodiversity monitoring is essential to assess the project's long-term effects on the ecosystem.

Social

• Land Use Conflicts: The project needs to address potential land use conflicts with other stakeholders.
• Funding Dependence: Securing long-term funding is crucial for project sustainability.
• Community Buy-in: Active community participation and support are essential for project success.
• Cultural Impacts: The project needs to be sensitive to potential cultural impacts on local communities and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge.
• Benefit Distribution: Equitable distribution of benefits among stakeholders is crucial for long-term social sustainability.

Project Metrics and Links

Metric	Description	Unit	Value
Project Start	Project initiation year	Year	2023
Area	Total project area	Hectares	7,500
Estimated CO2 Removal (10 years)	Carbon sequestration potential over 10 years	tCO2e	75,000
Estimated CO2 Removal (20 years)	Carbon sequestration potential over 20 years	tCO2e	180,000
Estimated CO2 Removal (30 years)	Carbon sequestration potential over 30 years	tCO2e	270,000
Total Estimated CO2 Removal	Total carbon sequestration potential over 30 years	tCO2e	525,000

Links:

• Digital Due Diligence:
  Link to Due Diligence Document/Platform

• B3 Green Bonds Information:
  Link to Green Bond Information

• Verra Carbon Credit Registry:
  Link to Carbon Credit Registry

Changelog

• 2024-06-13: Initial project documentation created.

Contributors

• Manuela Souza (LinkedIn Profile)