Satellite view of the Campos Rupestres savanna near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Photograph by USGS   Eastern South America: Southeastern Brazil Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   10,200 square miles (26,400 square kilometers) -- about the size of Maryland Relatively Stable/Intact

· Mountains of Unique Species
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Mountains of Unique Species

High in the Espinhaço Mountains of eastern Brazil is a patchwork of grasslands known as the Campos Rupestres Montane Savanna. This ecoregion is a chain of relatively small patches of grassland in a landscape dominated by montane and lowland forests. These isolated habitats contain an extraordinary number of endemic species. And 66 percent of the 538 threatened species in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais are found here.

Special Features

Situated from 3,000 to 6,000 feet (914 to 829 m) above sea level, this ecoregion consists mostly of open grasslands interspersed with shrubs and small trees. Deep river valleys give the savannas their patchy distribution and keep many species separated, creating a high level of endemism. In a process called speciation, populations of a single species evolve separately and become a different, new species.

	The hooded visorbearer is actually a hummingbird, distinguishable by its glittering green throat and fiery red spot.

Wild Side

The Campos Rupestres ecoregion is best known for its extraordinary number of endemic species. The Espinhaço Range is recognized as a center of endemism especially for plants, amphibians, and birds. Some of the species are found in only one patch or in a few isolated patches of the grasslands. Some of the endemic birds that you can find here include the Cipó canestero, hooded visorbearer, and pale-throated serra-finch.

Cause for Concern

Because a large portion of the Campos Rupestres ecoregion is still unaltered by human activities, there is an opportunity to establish a system of reserves to help protect this unique ecosystem. But this must be done quickly--so far, only about 5 percent of the ecoregion is preserved in the federal system of protected areas, and threats are increasing. Mining, the extraction of ornamental native plants, tourism, fires, agriculture, and urban expansion all threaten the region.

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