Satellite view of Fernanda de Noronha, Brazil Photograph by USGS   Island atoll off the Atlantic coast of Brazil Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   50 square miles (100 square kilometers) -- slightly smaller than Washington D.C. Critical/Endangered

· Volcanic Islands Erupting with Life
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Volcanic Islands Erupting with Life

This volcanic island archipelago, located 224 miles (360 km) off of Brazil’s coast, contains 12 islands with a total area of only 11 square miles (18 sq. km). These remote islands host a number of endemic species--especially among the birds. Although the islands have some towns and small fishing villages, they’re best known for their exuberant marine life and diversity of birds.

Special Features

The main island of this chain is low lying, with short cliffs along much of the coastline. A variety of habitats, including tropical deciduous forest, scrub, and even some dunes cover the islands. The vegetation of the islands is made up mostly of vines and bushes with a few species of trees. Noted among the bushes is the wild bean and the endemic "burra leiteira," which produces a caustic sap capable of causing serious burns.

	Masked boobies dive from up to 40 feet (12 m) above water to catch fish in their bills. Frigate birds often pursue these birds, tugging on their tails and forcing the boobies to disgorge their catch, which the frigate birds snatch in mid-air.

Wild Side

This ecoregion is home to the largest and most important breeding colony of seabirds in all of the islands of the tropical South Atlantic. The magnificent frigate bird; red-billed and white-tailed tropicbirds; red-footed, brown, and masked boobies; and brown and black noddies can all be found here. Many migrants also visit the islands, including the golden plover, black-bellied plover, ruddy turnstone, and sanderling. Two endemic birds occur on the islands--the Noronha elaenia and the Noronha vireo. No native mammals exist on the islands, and a once-endemic rodent has long since become extinct. Fruit trees such as papaya, banana, tamarind, guava, and graviola have been introduced here from the mainland.

Cause for Concern

Humans have been altering these islands for many years. Most of the native forests have disappeared, and the remaining forests are threatened by wood collection for fire and construction, a growing human population, livestock grazing, and--most importantly--the introduction of exotic plants and animals. Most of the trees and plants found on the island today were originally brought by humans. Native forests have been reduced to only five percent of their original area and can be found only in isolated patches and on lesser-inhabited islands.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.