The Guapi-Mirim Environmental Protection Area, in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region, is once again home to species that had disappeared long ago. This area, which includes mangroves in Guanabara Bay, now welcomes back birds, crabs, spiders, and butterflies, as the ecosystem shows signs of regeneration after years of degradation.
This new scenario was described and confirmed by those leading the Projeto Uçá, managed by the NGO Guardiões do Mar in partnership with Petrobras through its Socioenvironmental Program. Since 2022, the project has been working to restore mangroves and monitor biodiversity, soil, and water in the Guapi-Mirim Environmental Protection Area (APA).
According to the organizers, the return of these animals indicates an increase in biodiversity and environmental rebalancing. For the uçá crab, reforestation was crucial because they depend on the trees to move around. Butterflies reappeared as the mangroves expanded significantly, while spiders play an important role in controlling pests that can harm the ecosystem.
Other animals that appear more frequently include capybaras, anteaters, coatis, herons, and mangrove crabs.
To date, 62 species of birds, mammals, and crustaceans have been recorded in the reforested areas. Particularly notable are those at the top of the food chain, such as the blue heron, the great white heron, and the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus), a mammal native to the Americas.
Reforestation began between 2015 and 2016. According to the Projeto Uçá, the trees have already reached a suitable height of 8–10 meters, indicating successful growth.
Bird Monitoring
Bird monitoring by the Projeto Uçá is considered one of the technical pillars for assessing environmental recovery. Photographs and audio recordings are collected using apps like Merlin and WikiAves, as well as cameras with telephoto lenses for more precise species identification.
It is estimated that birds only returned after the mangrove vegetation reached a height of 3 meters or more. An example is the rare record of the mangrove berry-eater (Conirostrum bicolor), a bird that lives in mangrove trees in small flocks or pairs. It is listed as an endangered species.
The project also celebrates records of birds such as the semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), a migratory species from the Northern Hemisphere; the white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus); and the yellow-headed caracara (Milvago chimachima). The last two are threatened by hunting and trafficking.
Traditional Knowledge
The Projeto Uçá used restoration techniques based on local traditional knowledge. Instead of producing seedlings in a nursery, the project adopted transplanting – removing young seedlings from the mother plant and replanting them directly in the field. This approach reduced losses to less than 6 percent.
According to Pedro Belga, president of the NGO Guardiões do Mar, the project also promotes local economic development. An example is crab catching, which is the livelihood for many families.
“The true success of restoration depends on the participation of traditional communities and the empowerment of those who live in impacted areas. They are the greatest defenders of the territory,” Belga said.
Source: Agência Brasil