Pedro Develey Serra do Urubu IBA, the last significant Atlantic Forest remnant in NE Brazil Zoom In

Future of Serra do Urubu secured

10-02-2005

The whole of the Serra do Urubu Important Bird Area, one of the last significant remnants of Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil, is to be protected by two adjacent nature reserves. Serra do Urubu is home to 21 endemic bird species, including the critically endangered Alagoas Foliage-gleaner Philydor novaesi.

Serra do Urubu is divided into the 390 hectare Pedra Dantas farm and the 630 hectare Frei Caneca Private Nature Reserve created in the 1990s, with additional forest remnants nearby. SAVE Brasil, the NGO originated from the BirdLife Brazil Programme has bought Pedra Dantas from its absentee owner.

Only 2% of the Atlantic Forest remains in Pernambuco state. Despite its small size, Serra do Urubu is of extreme biological importance. Two species previously known only from Murici, in the neighbouring state of Alagoas, and very few other remnants have been found here: the Alagoas Foliage-gleaner, and the Alagoas Antwren Myrmotherula snowi (both Critically Endangered).

Serra do Urubu is very rich in other biodiversity, with 35 species of mammals, 23 amphibians, 130 ferns and 66 orchids, and the highest number of Bromeliad genera known to occur at a single site. The bromeliad Neoregelia pernambucana, newly described to science and known only from this site, is pollinated by hummingbirds and its spores dispersed by species like the globally threatened Seven-colored Tanager Tangara fastuosa. There are believed to be fewer than 100 of these bromeliads left. Like the tanager, they are threatened by illegal collectors.

Other threats come from illegal logging and charcoal burning, fires from the surrounding sugar cane fields, and encroachment of agriculture.

Dante Buzetti The Alagoas Foliage-gleaner has a tiny population confined to two forest patches in north-eastern Brazil and is classified as Critically Endangered Zoom In

"BirdLife and its local partners will work with surrounding land owners to establish systems of sustainable production" —Pedro Develey, BirdLife's Brazil Programme

"BirdLife and its local partners will work with surrounding land owners to establish systems of sustainable production and engage with community leaders, government agencies, civil society groups and others to assess community needs and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods," said Pedro Develey, IBA Coordinator with BirdLife's Brazil Programme.

Now that Murici has been declared an Ecological Station, visitors will no longer be permitted there. As a result Serra do Urubu could 'absorb' those ecotourists who want to see Alagoas Foliage-gleaner and the other endemics. Other potential sources of revenue include the commercial growing of bromeliads.

The Jensen Foundation provided a grant for the purchase of the reserve, with initial funding for its future management coming from Natuurpunt (BirdLife in Belgium). The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) also supported the project providing financial assistance for the bird survey.