Native trees of the Atlantic Forest: sustainability and use on rural properties

THE Copaiba Environmental Association, in partnership with WWF-Brazil and Sylvamo, presents the booklet “Native trees of the Atlantic Forest: sustainability and use on rural properties”, which brings together information on 110 native species and was developed as a practical tool to support farmers and communities in adopting practices that combine productivity and environmental conservation.

The primer makes art of Mogi Guaçu Roots Program and highlights the ecological characteristics and potential uses of species in different contexts, such as the restoration of degraded areas and the implementation of Agroforestry Systems (AFS). The booklet will help rural producers select the most suitable trees for enriching their land, promoting environmental, productive, and social benefits.

"The booklet represents an important step in bringing rural producers closer to nature-based solutions. By facilitating access to information about native species and their uses, we reinforce that it is possible to produce sustainably while simultaneously restoring the biodiversity and water sources of the Atlantic Forest," emphasizes Flávia Balderi, Executive Secretary of the Copaíba Environmental Association.

Benefits of native trees

Native trees of the Atlantic Forest play a fundamental role in maintaining environmental balance, bringing ecological, social, and economic benefits. Their essential role is linked to biodiversity conservation, providing shelter and food for countless species of fauna and flora, many of which are endemic and threatened with extinction.

Among the main benefits offered by plants are soil improvement through nitrogen fixation, increased organic matter, and stabilization against erosion; sustainable production, with the use of fruits, managed woods, essential oils, and resins that generate income for farmers and communities; and environmental protection, as these trees regulate the water cycle, help maintain springs and rivers, in addition to providing shade, reducing temperature, and improving air quality in urban areas.

Mogi Guaçu Roots Program

The initiative is part of the Mogi Guaçu Roots Program, the result of cooperation between WWF-Brazil and Sylvamo, with implementation of CopaibaCreated to promote the restoration of the Atlantic Forest and the preservation of water sources in the Mogi Guaçu River basin, the program has already restored, as of April 2025, more than 340 hectares of native forests in the Serra da Mantiqueira.

Copaiba Environmental Association

With 26 years of experience, Copaíba is responsible for producing native seedlings, planning and executing plantings, and engaging rural landowners and local communities.

Currently, the association promotes ecological restoration projects and programs; native seedling production; environmental education initiatives; and public policy participation. In total, over 4 million seedlings have been produced, 300 landowners have partnered, 713 hectares have been restored, and 40,000 have participated in environmental education experiences.

For the organization, the new booklet expands the scope of these actions, offering accessible and applicable knowledge for those who want to cultivate and restore the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest.