One of the most at-risk biomes in Brazil, the Atlantic Forest is also one of the areas richest in biodiversity! Almost 20,000 species of plants are part of the diversity of this forest. As for fauna, including vertebrates, there are more than 2,000 different species. This Brazilian biome is home to around 80% of the country's economic production and this is a major socio-environmental challenge due to the pressure that the economy itself exerts on the forests, with degradation and deforestation causing loss of biodiversity and affecting ecosystem services such as water production and climate regulation. 

The Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia has vegetation known as “Hileia Baiana” (Bahian Forest) precisely because of the similarity of its fauna and flora to the Amazon Rainforest, indicating that the two were once connected. The Bahian Forest is home to a high diversity of endemic species, that is, species that exist only in this region and nowhere else on the planet, many of which are threatened with extinction. This region is essential for both water production and the maintenance of the local climate. Its importance goes beyond the physical and environmental aspects, and is also relevant to the history of Brazil. The region also has a rich local culture, encompassing several indigenous territories. Therefore, the preservation of this region is of utmost importance, not only for environmental sustainability, but also for the preservation of Brazil's cultural and historical identity. Among the most important protected areas, the Descobrimento National Park, the Monte Pascoal National Historical Park, the Pau-Brasil National Park stand out, along with Extractive Reserves and Sustainable Development Reserves. 

The socioeconomic history of southern Bahia has been marked by successive phases of exploitation of natural resources, beginning in the colonial period with the extraction of brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata) for the European market, which resulted in the depletion of the species. The southern region of Bahia also faces social conflicts related to the demarcation of indigenous lands and areas designated for rural settlements under agrarian reform, involving indigenous communities, quilombolas, small farmers, large landowners and large companies. The socioeconomic history reveals the complex relationship between economic development, the exploitation of natural resources and environmental preservation, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives for the future of the region. 

Given this scenario, landscape restoration is a fundamental strategy for conserving biodiversity, protecting water resources, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, maintaining climate regulation and promoting the well-being of local communities.