Northeastern Atlantic Coastal Forest Project

The Project started in 1990 as a collaborative effort between the Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau (CEPEC) of the Comissão de Lavoura de Cacau (CEPLAC), led by Dr. André M. de Carvalho, and The New York Botanical Garden, led by Dr. Wm. Wayt Thomas.  Dr. André M. Amorim started his association with the Project as an assistant before becoming a professor at the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC).  In 2002, Dr. Carvalho passed away and Dr. Amorim succeeded as Brazilian Project leader.  More on the Project leaders. The Project staff consists of Drs. Amorim and Thomas, and a highly competent group of paid assistants, volunteers, and collaborators.  This group is well-trained, understands the local flora, and works well together.  Without them, the Project could not succeed.  More on the Project staff.

Project Study Sites in southern Bahia
We have chosen various forest sites for intensive study as part of this project.  In each of these areas, we have carryied out repeated visits over time and have gathered extensive data for the site.  Some of these sites are:

• The Serra do Teimoso Private Reserve, near Jussari;
• The Serra do Condurú State Park and the adjacent Serra Grande forest (Fazenda Catitu), between Ilhéus and Itacaré;
• The Una Biological Reserve, the adjacent Ecoparque de Una, and surrounding privately owned forests; these are 40 km south of Ilhéus near the town of Una and are home to the Golden-faced Lion Tamarin;
• Monte Pascoal National Park, 50 km south of Porto Seguro; and
• The Mata da Esperança, in the city of Ilhéus.

The Murici Forest, Alagoas -- a Collaborative Effort