Seagrasses of Southeast Brazil

Abstract

The tropical/subtropical southeast region of Brazil comprises three coastal and one landlocked state. The region is the most highly developed in Brazil and contains the urban conglomerations of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro; between 80-89% of native Atlantic rainforest has been lost through conversion. The 1,650 km coastline of the three coastal states represents 22.4% of the Brazilian coastline. Five species of seagrass occur in southeast Brazil. Runoff and terrestrially derived pollution decreases seawater clarity and quality. Although little known, this chapter describes the current state of knowledge on seagrass species and habitat in southeast Brazil, especially with regard to their geography and oceanographic context, species composition and distribution, biology and ecology, conservation, threats and future challenges.