Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro , South-eastern Brazil
Location: Coastal region east of city of Rio de Janeiro, between about latitudes 22°30'-23°00'S and longitudes 42°42'-41°52'W.Area: c. 1500 km².Altitude: . Sea-level to c. 500 m. Vegetation: Mangroves, coastal evergreen scrub to forest on sandy substrate, xeromorphic thickets on low hills, submontane rain forest.
Flora: 1500-2200 species of vascular plants estimated, 740 species recorded; high diversity, many disjuncts at their southern limit, high species endemism, relict species; threatened species. Useful plants: Caesalpinia echinata (Brazil-wood), medicinals; intense local utilization of many plants by fishermen. Other values: Dune stabilization, archaeological sites, tourism, important locale for global climate-change research. Threats: Increasing land development severely threatened by vacation homes, tourism, cattle-raising, agriculture. Conservation: Environmental protection zones (APAs) and ecological reserves comprise c. 10% of region, but do not adequately conserve its biological diversity.
There are two ecological reserves in the Cabo Frio region, the Reserva Ecológica de Jacarepiá (12.5 km²) and the Reserva Ecológica de Massambaba (13.7 km²), and two environmental protection zones, the Area de Proteção Ambiental de Massambaba (111 km²) which includes the two ecological reserves and the APA de Sapiatiba (60 km²). The dunes are protected by decree from the Fundação Estadual de Engenharia do Meio Ambiente (FEEMA).
However, these units are administered by the State of Rio de Janeiro with very limited funds. As a result, the boundaries have not been fenced, there are no rangers in the units and no local headquarters, etc. Some hope for preservation of natural wealth of the Cabo Frio region lies in assistance from the locally active non- governmental organizations, whose members are attentive to infractions of the law and notify the appropriate State authorities.
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