Atlantic Forest study reveals secrets of seed rain phenomenon

A comprehensive study has mapped the ‘seed rain’ phenomenon in the Atlantic Forest, a process vital for forest regeneration following disturbances such as fires and deforestation. Coordinated by Marco Aurélio Pizo from Unesp, the research analyzed over 1.3 million seeds from 1,029 plant groups across 52 areas between 1987 and 2021.

The findings indicate that rainfall volume and the presence of surrounding native vegetation are the primary drivers of seed richness. Notably, the study suggests that connected forest fragments are more effective for seed dispersal by animals and overall forest renewal than isolated fragments of the same total size.

While the Atlantic Forest has faced drastic reduction due to human occupation, recent data shows a 40% decrease in the deforestation rate between 2023 and 2024.