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CARATINGA
20ANOS
Coordenao e Produo
Conservation International - Brasil
Fotolito e Impresso
Rona Editora
info@conservation.org.br
CDD : 502.72
FOTO/CAPA: JOS CALDAS Ficha catalogrfica elaborada pela bibliotecria Nina C. Mendona CRB/6-1288
FOTO: RUSSELL MITTERMEIR
Introduction
The Atlantic Forest region of Brazil is one of the the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hipoxanthus), the
richest and most diverse forest systems in the world; largest mammal endemic to Brazil and a species of
it is also one of the most threatened, ranking among great charm and appeal, ranks high on the list of
the five top biodiversity hotspots on Earth. Although most endangered primates, and has become a
it once covered some 1.2 million km2, it is now flagship species of enormous importance to Brazil.
down to about 7% of its original extent. Needless Only about 500 individuals remain in the wild, and
to say, many of the animals and plants living in one third of those occur in a single forest, the
this region are under heavy pressure, and many are Caratinga Biological Station, in the state of Minas
now at risk of extinction. Gerais.
Primates have long been the most important symbols Like the northern muriqui itself, Caratinga is very
for the Atlantic Forest, and their situation is special. It was first discovered by the scientific
indicative of what is happening to the region as a community when Brazilian conservation pioneer,
whole. Some 24 species and subspecies are found Alvaro Aguirre, visited the site during a region wide
in the Atlantic Forest, of these 15 are now considered survey in the late 1960s. However, this finding
endangered or critically endangered. One of these, received little public attention, for almost 20 years.
2 ESTAO BIOLGICA DE CARATINGA 2 0 ANOS
FOTO: JOS CALDAS
aqueles que buscavam temas para suas teses e dis-
sertaes ligadas biologia da conservao, com-
portamento animal e ecologia de comunidades de
plantas e animais. Fato notvel foi a chegada de
uma ento estudante de ps-graduao americana,
Karen Strier, que haveria de ligar Caratinga no s
aos seus primeiros estudos, mas toda a sua subse-
qente carreira profissional. Muito aconteceu des-
de 1979. Karen Strier comeou sua pesquisa pionei-
ra sobre os muriqui em 1982, e seus 20 anos de
estudo so hoje um dos clssicos da primatologia.
Karen foi ainda responsvel pela formao de um
grande numero de estudantes brasileiros, a maioria
com uma passagem marcante em Caratinga.
The Caratinga population was rediscovered in 1976 establish an enduring link with Caratinga through
by professor Celio Valle, of the Federal University of her subsequent professional carrier. Since 1979,
Minas Gerais, who found the area had been much has happened. Karen Strier began her
effectively protected by its owner, senhor Feliciano groundbreaking muriqui research in 1982, and her
Miguel Abdala, since the 1950s. A successful coffee 20 year study has now become one of the classics
farmer, Senhor Feliciano had protected the forest of primatology. Karen was responsible for the
and its muriquis simply because he was interested formation of numerous Brazilian students, most with
in conservation and found these animals especially a marked passage through Caratinga.
appealing.
As well as Karens led research, many studies focusing
Several researchers followed the opportunity opened other subjects, such as birds, small mammals,
by Professors Coutinho and Valle, particularly those amphibians and plants involved almost 50 other
pursuing themes related to conservation biology, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students
animal behavior and community ecology of plants from Brazil and several other countries. This wealth
and animals. A notable fact was the arrival of an of information, gathered along the last 25 years,
American graduate student, Karen Strier, who would makes Caratinga the most studied area in all Atlantic
ESTAO BIOLGICA DE CARATINGA 2 0 ANOS 3
estudada do ponto de vista biolgico e ecolgico cionamento de comunidades tropicais, revelando
de toda a Mata Atlntica, no que tange a diversida- novas estratgias para a conservao de reas par-
de de grupos investigados e a longa durao de um ticularmente ameaadas, como os hotspots de biodi-
grande nmero das pesquisas l realizadas. Caratinga versidade. To importante quanto essa contribui-
agora, merecidamente, faz parte de um seleto gru- o, as pesquisas e as vrias dezenas de pesquisa-
po de estaes de pesquisa brasileiras associadas dores que passaram pela Estao Biolgica de
ao Programa Ecolgico de Longa-Durao (PELD- Caratinga permitiram a RPPN recentemente criada a
Brasil), organizado pelo CNPq. Em breve passar tam- possibilidade de suas florestas serem preservadas
bm a fazer parte do Programa TEAM Tropical Ecology, em perpetuidade. Assim como em vrios outros lo-
Assessment and Monitoring, liderado pelo Centro cais do mundo, Caratinga prova a quase infalvel
de Pesquisas Aplicadas a Biodiversidade (CABS) da frmula da estratgia de conservao que se baseia
Conservation International, que iniciou o processo na presena, a longo prazo, da pesquisa cientfica
de criao de um rede de 50 estaes de pesquisa de campo. Para ns, foi um prazer ter participado
sobre florestas tropicais em nvel mundial, monito- de vrias etapas importantes da trajetria da con-
rando o status da biodiversidade a longo prazo. servao das matas que passamos a conhecer e
admirar.
Com essa publicao, Caratinga poder ser melhor
conhecida pela nova gerao de bilogos e eclogos Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca
brasileiros e do exterior, que buscam locais estrate- Vice-presidente Executivo da Conservation International,
professor titular do Departamento de Zoologia da UFMG.
gicamente melhor conhecidos para tornar o alvo das
suas investigaes, continuando assim a contribuir Russell A. Mittermeier
para o melhor entendimento dos mecanismos e fun- Presidente da Conservation International.
Forest, regarding long-term biological and ecological strategies for the conservation of particularly
research of a wide range of subjects. Currently, threatened areas such as the biodiversity hotspots.
Caratinga is acknowledged as part of a select group As important as this contribution, the studies and
of Brazilian research stations affiliated to the Long- the several tens of researchers with passage through
Term Ecological Program (PELD-Brasil), organized the Caratinga Biological Station allowed the recently
by the CNPq. Soon it will also be part of the Tropical created RPPN-FMA the possibility of perpetual
Ecology, Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) preservation of its forests. As in several other places
Program, leaded by the Center for Applied worldwide, Caratinga proofs the almost infallible
Biodiversity Science at Conservation International, conservation strategy based on the long-term
which initiated a worldwide net of 50 tropical forest presence of site field research. To us, it has been a
research stations, for monitoring biodiversity status pleasure to take part in several important steps of
in the long term. Caratinga trajectory, as well as in conservation of
the forests weve got to know and admire.
With this publication, Caratinga will be better known
by the new generation of Brazilian and foreign Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca
biologists and ecologists, in search for strategically Executive Vice-president Conservation International,
professor at Federal University of Minas Gerais.
established sites for developing their investigations,
thus contributing to better understanding tropical Russell A. Mittermeier
communities and to the development of new President, Conservation International.
A legacy of love for nature Ramiro Abdala Passos Their long-lived friendship smoothed out the
negotiation and, shortly thereafter, they sorted out
Born to a Lebanese immigrant married to a Brazilian the deal on a handshake. Seu Benzinho did impose
woman, Feliciano Miguel Abdalla found himself one condition for the deal, though: Feliciano should
drawn to working on the land as if that had been swear to protect the woods on the property. Relieved
his calling all along. Unlike his father, a business to find out that it was such a simple request, Feliciano
dealer, he fell in love with the idea of working the assured him that he would gladly do so, as he had
earth to earn his livelihood. Young and dashing, he always shared his friends enthusiasm for the beauty
would often dream of acquiring this stunning and exuberance of those woods. It would be hard to
property located near the spot where his transporting imagine that those two men were right then and there
mules, laden with goods, stopped for an overnight writing one of the most exquisite chapters in the history
rest. Till one winter morning in 1944, amid a mist- of environmental preservation in Brazil and sealing
shrouded landscape, Feliciano invited Seu the fate of the northern muriqui, the largest and the
Benzinho, the owner of Fazenda Montes Claros, for most important monkey in the Americas.
a tete-a-tete.
perseverance in stopping them. He would always of preserving that precious stretch of Atlantic forest.
recommend to his employees that they avoid hitting Among the pioneers was Dr. Russell Mittermeier,
the hunters dogs. After all, it is not animals that who came to present the forest and its muriquis to
pull the trigger, he said. Dr. Karen Strier, a researcher, who for the last 20
years has been looking into their habits and social
It was only when the 60s were drawing to an end organization, presenting the world with fascinating
that he came to meet a new breed interested in the and surprising discoveries about the biggest and
woods: they were to be known as researchers. After most peaceful primate in the Americas.
so many years of being a lone crusader in his
preservation efforts, it wasnt without some In donating a small house in the heart of the forest
suspicion that he greeted this new figure who alleged so that researchers could have a place to do their
to be in search of information only. work, Feliciano came upon a way of keeping the forest
under constant surveillance and guaranteeing its
Firstly with Professor Alvaro and then with Professor preservation. The initiative gave him a great number
Clio Valle, the hidden treasures in the woods were of friends and admirers who would accompany him,
opened to the scientific community. In 1977, even from afar, for the rest of his life. When in June
Professor Akira Nishimura started the first systemic 2000, Feliciano passed away at the age of 92, he
study about the muriquis, paving the way for many took with him the certainty that he had left a legacy
others who would come to join Feliciano in the task of far-reaching respect and love for nature.
His interaction with both the forest and the muriquis Having come into such cherished inheritance, his
aroused a great deal of admiration and recognition. wife and children decided to pay tribute to him by
He was awarded by several institutions for his guaranteeing the safe keeping of the forest. Fazenda
conservation-oriented attitude, which dates back Montes Claros share of Atlantic forest became the
to a time when the term Environmentalist had not Feliciano Miguel Abdala Natural Private Heritage
even been coined. All that without ever expecting through a Deed of Recognition pursuant to IBAMAs
anything in return. (Brazilian Institute for the Environment) decree 116
of September 3, 2001.
It may have been a coincidence, though we would
rather believe it was out of sympathy for a friend These changing times bring on new challenges and
and protector, that a few weeks after his passing, in order to guarantee the long term preservation of
the giant and hundred-year- old Jequitib tree, this reserve, the Abdalas, backed by the Community
which was the door-keeper and guardian of the of Caratinga and all those interested in their fight,
forest, simply fell down in a quiet Autumn boldly set up the Preserve Muriqui Non Govermental
afternoon. Shortly thereafter, the dearest and Organization to run the property and implement
oldest muriqui also came to pass away. In our hearts solutions, seeking out partnerships with other NGOs,
lies the hope that they will be together on another schools, research institutions and governmental
plane sowing solidarity and cooperation between support.
men and nature.
altitudes ranging from 318m to 628m. The RPPN- Well preserved tracts are restricted to the Mato,
FMA also contains parts of two sub-basins separated Ja and Sapo brooks. As the altitude increases the
by crests of hills that can reach 628m. These brooks primary forest gradually changes to a spoiled
are called Ja and Mato, which inspired the names secondary forest and young woods in regeneration
of the main groups of northern muriquis of the and then to bushes and infested areas at the hilltop.
reserve: the Mato group and the Ja group. In the tracts with a continuous canopy the trees
reach 25m high, without considering the emerging
The Reserve is marked by the landscape of the Semi- trees that reach over 35m high.
decidual Forest, also known as rainforest. This
landscape is characterized by well-marked dry and The conservation of the area is critical to many
rainy seasons and made up of trees which keep their species of the fauna. Among the assessments
leaves all year long and others which lose some of executed, some endangered species in the state of
their leaves in the dry season. Minas Gerais were found. In the RPPN-FMA about
362 species of vertebrate animals (mammals, birds,
There is a considerable variation in the structure of fish, reptiles and amphibians) can be found. The
the forest within the boundaries of the RPPN-FMA. Reserve has 79 species of mammals and, along with
Studies on the bird fauna showed 204 species in of the species of the Doce River basin. The Dourado
the area. This figure stands for 52% of all the species (Salminus maxillosus) is mentioned by some older
in the Rio Doce Valley (393) and 26% of the birds fishermen in the region as a native species of the
in Minas Gerais (774 species). Up to now, 37 species Manhuaus river forest area, though presently
of amphibians were detected and, in recent study considered extinct.
by the UFMGs Zoology Department, 38 species of
reptiles were catalogued.. These include 21 species One butterfly species from these forests, Heliconius
of snakes, among which Lachesis muta may be nattereri (family Nymphalidae) is considered to be
considered an endangered species in the State of threatened with extinction by the IBAMA and
Minas Gerais, this species is only found nowadays endangered by the State Environmental Policy
in the RPPN-FMA and in Rio Doce State Park. Council COPAM.
In the Manhuau River and its tributaries 25 species The high levels of biodiversity found at the RPPN-
of fish, 19 of which were recorded In the RPPN- FMA represents an important attractive for research,
FMA. More news is expected in the future after more environmental awareness and ecotourism activities.
studies are undertaken. This figure represents 1/3 Although still incipient, ecotourism in the RPPN-
Research center Karen B. Strier and effort to study and preserve the local biodiversity.
Sergio L. Mendes Their efforts on behalf of the muriqui also revealed
the presence of another endangered primate, the
The area known today as the Reserva Particular do buffy-headed marmoset, that had been thought to
Patrimnio Natural (RPPN)-Feliciano Miguel Abdala be restricted to the state of Esprito Santo.
was first introduced to the scientific community by
zoologist Alvaro Aguirre, whose classic work about In addition to the presence of the muirqui and the
the muriqui was published in 1971. But it was not buffy-headed marmoset, the researchers found that
until the beginning of the 1980s, with the the area had a high population density of brown
rediscovery of the muriqui, that zoologists from the howler monkeys and tufted capuchin monkeys, and
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), under realized its tremendous potential for the
the leadership of Celio Valle, initiated a campaign development of research on primates. With support
for the protection and scientific study of this area. from the owner of the farm, Feliciano Miguel Abdala,
In response, primatologists and conservationists as well as UFMG, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),
stimulated by Russell A. Mittermeier, Adelmar F. and the Brazilian Foundation for the Conservation
Coimbra Filho e Ibsen G. Cmara joined Celio Valles of Nature (FBCN), the Biological Station of Caratinga
group from UFMG in an international collaborative (EBC) was inauguarated in May 1983. In the same
18 ESTAO BIOLGICA DE CARATINGA 2 0 ANOS
FOTO: JOS CALDAS
cia que o trabalho de campo era rduo e procurou
facilitar ainda mais o trabalho dos pesquisadores,
doando uma casa com mais fcil acesso mata. A
inaugurao da Estao Biolgica, representou um
grande avano, ao fornecer uma infraestrutura es-
sencial para estudos de longo prazo, como, por exem-
plo, o projeto muriqui.
year, the muriqui was selected as the symbol of the In 2001, due to the initiative of the Abdalla family
meeting of the Brazilian Society of Zoology, held in and support from scientists and conservationists,
Belo Horizonte, where the new discoveries from the EBC was declared a Private Natural Heritage
Caratinga first became widely known. Reserve by IBAMA. In becoming the RPPN-FMA, it
consolidated the efforts initiated more than 30 years
The Abdala family has always welcomed Brazilian by Alvaro Aguirre.
and foreign scientists and conservationists alike.
In the early years, researchers spent their days in The significance of the RPPN-FMA extends beyond
the forest and their nights at Senior Felicianos own the sanctuary it provides for muriquis and other
home. Despite his legendary hospitality, he endemic Atlantic Forest fauna and flora, for it also
recognized that field research is an arduous symbolizes an ongoing commitment to the value of
undertaking, and by donating a house with easier long-term research efforts. Surveys have spanned
access to the forest, he facilitated the researchers both plant and animal kingdoms, confirming the
work. The inauguration of the Biological Station, presence of a unique diversity of life forms, several
marked a major advancement, for it provided an of which are restricted to only a few Atlantic forest
essential infrastructure for long-term studies, like fragments. From amphibians to birds, from molluscs
the Muriqui Project, to be maintained. to insects, and from moss to large trees, the species
ESTAO BIOLGICA DE CARATINGA 2 0 ANOS 19
Patrimnio Natural, passando a se chamar RPPN principalmente com os estudos de longo prazo so-
Feliciano Miguel Abdala, consolidando os esforos bre a ecologia e comportamento dos primatas da
iniciados h mais de 30 anos por lvaro Aguirre. Mata Atlntica. Os primeiros estudos de longo pra-
zo sobre o sagi-da-cara-amarela, sobre o barbado
A importncia da RPPN vai alm do santurio que e sobre o muriqui-do-norte foram iniciados aqui no
ela representa para os muriquis e para outros ele- incio da dcada de 1980. Apesar da importncia
mentos da flora e fauna endmicos da Mata Atln- destes primatas por serem ameaados e endmicos
tica, ao simbolizar a consolidao de esforos ci- da Mata Atlntica, seu comportamento e ecologia
entficos de longo prazo. Os estudos tm abrangi- eram previamente desconhecidos, como da maioria
do tanto o reino animal quanto vegetal, confir- das espcies que habitam esta mata. Clio Valle e
mando a presena de uma diversidade nica de seus estudantes foram os primeiros a levar a flores-
formas de vida, muitas das quais restritas a escas- ta e seus primatas ao domnio pblico, mas a lista
sas localidades da Mata Atlntica. De anfbios a dos pesquisadores que os seguiram agora muito
aves, de moluscos a insetos, de musgos a grandes grande para ser citada. Desde o trabalho de Aguirre,
rvores, o inventrio de espcies na RPPN-FMA foram 22 projetos de pesquisa independentes, qua-
continuar crescendo, na medida em que forem tro monografias de Graduao, 24 dissertaes de
iniciados novos esforos de pesquisa para docu- Mestrado, 10 teses de Doutorado e um ps-Douto-
mentar sua diversidade. rado.
A RPPN-FMA tem consolidado sua reputao inter- O Projeto Muriqui de Caratinga, agora no seu 21o
nacional como um centro para pesquisa de campo, ano, tem sido o carro-chefe das pesquisas na RPPN
inventory of the RPPN-FMA will continue to grow as been 22 independent research projects, four
new research endeavors are launched. undergraduate monographs, 24 Masters
dissertations, 10 PhD theses, and one post-doctoral
The RPPN-FMA has already gained an international study.
reputation as a center for field science, with the
long-term studies on its primate inhabitants largely The Muriqui Project of Caratinga, now in its 21st
responsible for its fame. The first systematic studies year and still the longest-running study of its kind,
ever conducted on the buffy-headed marmoset, represents what can be accomplished when the goals
brown howler monkey, and northern muriqui were of scientists and conservationists coincide.
initiated here in the early 1980s. All three of these Scientific discoveries about the muriquis include
primates are endangered and endemic to Brazilian their exceptionally peaceful social lives and their
Atlantic forest, yet the behavior and ecology of ability to find the food they require in a forest that
these primates, like so much else in this forest, is limited in size. Monitoring the muriquis
were previously unknown. Celio Valle and his remarkable reproductive system has revealed how
students were the first to bring the forest and its small populations can recover when they and their
primates into the public domain, but the list of forests are protected, and helped to stimulate new
researchers who followed them is now too long to research initiatives into the ecological conditions
name. Since Aguirres first publication, there have responsible for their success.
Brazilian students have participated on the Muriqui where systematic ecological studies involving forest
Project alone, and many have gone on to develop phenology and primary productivity are underway,
related research that contributes to conservation and to include non-invasive investigations into the
efforts elsewhere. Such long-term international genetic variability of the entire population. The
collaborations are not as common as one might inclusion of the RPPN-FMA in Conservation
think, yet those forged at the RPPN-FMA have been Internationals new TEAM program marks the
successful because of our shared commitment to beginning of a new phase in its history by bringing
the dual importance of research and conservation the scientific value of the research station into
here. comparative perspective. As research efforts
expand, the primary scientific function of the RPPN-
The research at the RPPN-FMA has adhered to the FMA will continue to reflect its contributions to
highest standards of ethical scientific conduct, conservation and the role that science can play in
with the conservation of the forest and its securing not only the future of this forest and its
inhabitants the top-most priority. The Muriqui inhabitants, but also as a model that is applicable
Project has expanded to other parts of the forest, to other sites.
Caring for such a wealth left by Mr. Feliciano Miguel Abdala is Wisconsin, Joseph Henry Fund of the National
our duty. Beyond its ecological importance, the Montes Claros Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid
Farm projects Caratinga to the world.
Program, IEF-MG, IBAMA.
Ernani Campos Porto
Caratinga Mayor
SOCIEDADE PARA
PRESERVAO
DO MURIQUI