Atlantic Forest Research Articles

Floristic patterns of Atlantic Forest's coastal remnants: insights to guide conservation and management

The coastal remnants of the Atlantic Forest are important sources of plant biodiversity and are a significant part of this endangered biome. Despite this, in some areas the flora is still little known, such as the Serra da Tiririca State Park (PESET), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Here we used information from scientific studies and data from the REFLORA virtual herbarium to synthesize the floristic parameters relating to the taxonomic classification of species, origin, life form, substrate, endemism and threat. For PESET, a total of 1519 species have been recorded 1360 of which are native to Brazil. Four hundred and eighty-one species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest and six are endemic to PESET. The Fabaceae family and the Eugenia genus had the highest number of records (160 and 33 species, respectively). Approximately 32% of documented plant species comprise trees, while 85.78% are associated with terrestrial habitats. Seventy-nine species are threatened (CR, EN and VU), while 868 have Not Evaluated or have Deficient Data (NE and DD). When compared with other Atlantic Forest remnants, PESET surprisingly showed greater species similarity with the Serra de São José (ISs = 0.91) in the Brazilian Cerrado and less similarity with the Costa do Sol State Park (ISs = 0.59), which is geographically closer. Our approach, used at PESET, can be applied to other coastal remnants and increase the knowledge about the patterns of flora richness in the Atlantic Forest's coastal remnants and provide support for the conservation and management strategies in this biome.

Investigating the distribution of a unique crustacean microendemic to tree hollows.

Water-filled tree hollows constitute phytotelmata that harbor specialized organisms. One striking example of extreme adaptation to these microhabitats is the case of the microcrustacean Micromoina arboricola, which has been found inhabiting the hollow of a single tree individual in the Atlantic Forest. We investigated the spatial distribution and influence of microhabitat characteristics such as hollow volume and height from the ground in the occurrence of M. arboricola. We surveyed all the trunks present in ca. 5000 m2 of an Atlantic old-growth forest area. We found M. arboricola individuals in 75% of the hollows, thus expanding the known distribution of the species. Spatial analysis suggested a clustered pattern of population densities across hollows, indicating that the dispersal capacity to new microhabitat patches may vary in space. Although we did not find an effect of hollow volume, population density was negatively related to hollow height. This suggests that more restrictive abiotic conditions at greater heights limit the occurrence of the species, emphasizing its vulnerability to environmental changes. Hollow-mediated ecosystem engineering depends on the occasional formation of cavities that require time and ancient trees. Preserving old forests with hollows under varying conditions tends to maintain ecosystem functionality and the conservation of this unique microendemic species.

Exploring environmental and climate features associated with yellow fever across space and time in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome.

The Atlantic Forest Biome (AFB) creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of vector mosquitoes, such as Haemagogus and Sabethes species, which transmit the Yellow Fever virus (YFV) to both human and non-human primates (NHP) (particularly Alouatta sp. and Callithrix sp.). From 2016 to 2020, 748 fatal cases of YF in humans and 1,763 in NHPs were reported in this biome, following several years free from the disease. This underscores the imminent risk posed by the YFV. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of YF cases in both NHPs and humans across the entire AFB during the outbreak period, using a generalized linear mixed regression model (GLMM) at the municipal level. Our analysis examined factors associated with the spread of YFV, including environmental characteristics, climate conditions, human vaccination coverage, and the presence of two additional YFV-affected NHP species. The occurrence of epizootics has been directly associated with natural forest formations and the presence of species within the Callithrix genus. Additionally, epizootics have been shown to be directly associated with human prevalence. Furthermore, human prevalence showed an inverse correlation with urban areas, temporary croplands, and savannah and grassland areas. Further analyses using Moran's Index to incorporate the neighborhoods of municipalities with cases in each studied host revealed additional variables, such as altitude, which showed a positive correlation. Additionally, the occurrence of the disease in both hosts exhibited a spatio-temporal distribution pattern. To effectively mitigate the spread of the virus, it is necessary to proactively expand vaccination coverage, refine NHP surveillance strategies, and enhance entomological surveillance in both natural and modified environments.

Cultivation of a Wild Strain of Wood Ear Auricularia cornea from Brazil.

Auricularia cornea has become one of the most important cultivated mushrooms worldwide. Although not remarkably flavorful, Auricularia species are very versatile and rehydrate easily after drying, adding a unique and pleasing texture to the dishes. In this study, we collected, identified, and domesticated a wild strain of A. cornea from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The wild strain was evaluated for mycelial growth at different temperatures and substrates, biological efficiency, and nutritional composition. The temperature that best favored the A. cornea mycelium growth was 30°C, and the substrate was sterile Eucalyptus sawdust. The highest biological efficiency value obtained was 106.90 ± 13.28%. Nutritional analysis showed that the produced wood ears contained 71.02% carbohydrates, 19.63% crude fiber, 11.59% crude protein, 10.19% crude fat, and 4.24% ash on dry matter basis. For the mineral content profile, the elements K and P were the most abundant. This is the first report on cultivation of a wild strain of A. cornea from Brazil.

Phylogeography of the Red‐Headed Manakin Supports the River‐Refuge Hypothesis

ABSTRACTAimThe Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse regions on earth, but our understanding of the processes that have shaped its patterns of diversity remains incomplete. One hypothesis for Amazonian speciation is the river‐refuge hypothesis, which suggests that retraction of forests away from the periphery of Amazonia, where rivers are narrow, facilitated divergence of populations separated by wide rivers. Later re‐expansion of forests would have allowed secondary contact between these populations, and co‐occurring hybrid zones may reveal the location where expanding forests first reconnected. Here, we test whether a widespread Amazonian songbird species shows evidence of population contact zones in the eastern headwaters of the Tapajós river, hypothesised to be an area of secondary contact under the river‐refuge hypothesis.LocationAmazon and Atlantic forests of South America.TaxonCeratopipra rubrocapilla (Pipridae, Passeriformes).MethodsWe sampled 147 C. rubrocapilla (Red‐headed Manakin) across its vast range, with 70 samples sequenced using reduced‐representation genomic sequencing and 139 sequenced at the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. We use population genetic and phylogenetic analyses to investigate patterns of gene flow and population structure across the range, with a particular focus on samples from the headwaters of the Tapajós River to evaluate the potential role of the river‐refuge hypothesis.ResultsWe observe shallow population structure and evidence for widespread gene flow across the range of C. rubrocapilla. Patterns in the Tapajós headwaters match predictions of the river‐refuge hypothesis, with eastern headwater samples most similar to samples farther west on the opposite bank of the Tapajós River.Main ConclusionsThe close co‐occurrence between population contact zones within C. rubrocapilla and other previously studied hybrid zones reinforces the hypothesis that the eastern Tapajós headwaters is where rainforest populations reconnected in the past, following predictions of the river‐refuge hypothesis of Amazonian speciation.

Conservation gaps for Brazilian bats, limited protection across conservation units and the importance of the indigenous lands.

In Brazil, there is 13% of the world's bat diversity, is the second most diverse group of mammals, playing a crucial role in providing ecosystem services that benefit humans. However, anthropogenic disturbances exacerbate processes of species extinction, shifts in geographic distributions, and phenological changes, despite efforts to safeguard biodiversity through the creation of Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands. Moreover, gaps in taxonomic knowledge and challenges related to species distribution hinder the effective implementation of conservation strategies in protected areas. This study assesses the contribution of Brazilian Conservation Units (both Full Protection and Sustainable Use) and Indigenous Lands to the conservation of bat species and their ecosystem services. It also presents maps illustrating species richness by trophic guilds and threat classification according to IUCN, including species listed as Data Deficient. The findings reveal low percentages of potential bat distribution areas within these protected regions, especially for insectivorous, nectarivorous, and frugivorous bats in the Cerrado biome, which are classified as Near Threatened. Additionally, the highest bat species richness was observed in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes.

Prediction of land use/land cover and environmental estimation of carbon stocks in the Atlantic forest: A study in the state of Sergipe, Brazil

The forest ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil are experiencing intense deforestation, contributing to climate change. Valuing the ecosystem service of CO2 sequestration can help in environmental policies to reduce deforestation and promote ecological restoration in this region. In this study, we sought to understand the dynamics of land use and land cover in the Atlantic Forest region of the state of Sergipe between 1985 and 2021 and to simulate land use and land cover for 2031 and 2051, assuming the current business as usual (BAU) trend was used as a reference scenario. The results showed that the agriculture-pasture mosaic class obtained the greatest percentage (5.27 %) and net (around 514.00 km²) increase among the land use and cover classes evaluated in the study area between 1985 and 2021. In the BAU scenario, total emissions reach 1,137,942.07 Mg CO2 in 2031 and 692,815.16 Mg CO2 in 2051, imposing an opportunity cost for society of US$ 7.94 million and US$ 4.35 million, respectively.

Primate focused conservation education in Paraguay: Doing something Para La Tierra.

Over 91% of the Paraguayan Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest has been cleared and the Gran Chaco is the fastest disappearing habitat on the continent. One of the compounding issues for conservation in Paraguay is the lack of knowledge of the importance of nature amongst the population. Fundación Para La Tierra (PLT) began the country's first Eco-Club program, "Voces de la Naturaleza" (Voices of Nature), in 2016. Three of the curriculums participatory lessons focus on primate conservation. These lessons formed the basis of PLT's Atlantic Forest education programme in 2018 when the team began visiting 22 schools around San Rafael (Tekoha Guasu). To date 26 schools (1,500+ children) across two political departments and four districts have participated in this programme which is now entering its 6th year. The biggest challenges have included the COVID-19 pandemic and the logistics and costs involved in reaching rural and remote schools. Though it is too soon to record observable behavioural change ongoing monitoring over the six year period indicates that children remember the information gained through the participatory methods for several years. We believe that the main reasons for the success of this programme are the collaborations that we have built with the teachers of the schools based on open communication and mutual respect. Though costs can be an issue when beginning, or running, a long-term project we recommend that potential educators not be put off trying and that a lot of good can be achieved with a small amount of funding.

What do tree-growth archives tell us about anthropogenic pressures and their mitigations in the Atlantic Forest?

The Atlantic Forest is a complex and heterogeneous biome, reflecting significant biodiversity that has historically been threatened by anthropogenic pressures. In this sense, solutions to these issues are needed and growth rings could represent an opportunity for this. This review aimed to compile studies addressing growth rings in the Atlantic Forest. We sought to answer whether these studies are contributing to an understanding of the impacts of environmental problems on trees and the implementation of environmental solutions. From 105 articles published on growth rings in the Atlantic Forest, most have contributed to exploring the climatic responses of trees. Compiling the results of these studies, we show a similar tendency for tree growth in the biome to be positively influenced by water conditions. However, it is important to highlight that few papers have focused on issues such as land degradation, climate change, biological invasions and restoration approaches. Although it has been shown that dendrochronology is a collaborative science among researchers, there is a gap in studies and research groups in the northeast and southwest regions and with the applications of multiproxy research. There are studies worldwide that address environmental problems using different growth ring approaches to evaluate matters including climate change, pollution, tree health, carbon sequestration and environmental monitoring. In this sense, there is a need and opportunity for tree ring research in the Atlantic Forest biome on these issues.

Monitoring the rewilding of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest on tree and mammal diversity: From a biodiversity hotspot to a biodiversity hopespot

The implementation of rewilding initiatives is crucial for biodiversity recovery, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Long-term monitoring of rewilding initiatives is critical for assessing progress and informing management choices. This study assesses the efficiency of different reforestation practices for biodiversity recovery, including passive restoration, active reforestation with different native seedlings, and plantations of exotic species. We applied an ecosystem approach to estimate the tree and mammal diversity, collected through forest plots and camera traps. We selected differently managed areas and included the oldest forest patches as reference points for the assessment of biodiversity; a naturally disturbed montane forest in the area was included as a control category for the disturbance analysis. Moreover, we investigated the influence of ecological variables, such as biodiversity, aboveground biomass, and altitude, on rewilding processes. Our results suggest that Eucalyptus plantations, a simplified ecosystem made up of monocultures of exotic species, support lower biodiversity. On the contrary, active reforestation with different native species resulted in an ecological status comparable to naturally regrown secondary forests. We show that active reforestation can reduce the time required for rewilding. We also found a positive correlation between tree and mammal species richness. These results underscore the importance and potential of responsible restoration efforts in recovering local biodiversity, contributing to the vision of a future where the Brazilian Atlantic Forest can be acknowledged not only as a biodiversity hotspot but also as a “hopespot.”

A NEW SPECIES OF SIGMOIDOTROPIS (PAPILIONOIDEAE, LEGUMINOSAE) FROM ATLANTIC FOREST, EASTERN BRAZIL

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions and a key center of endemism for various plant groups. Here, we propose the new species Sigmoidotropis snakiae, which is found in the high-altitude Atlantic Forests of southeastern Brazil. Environmental niche modeling indicates potential areas of distribution that are distinct from the known range of the species, suggesting that these current areas may be remnants of a once-larger, interconnected habitat. The significance of conservation areas such as Parque Nacional do Caparaó and Parque Estadual do Forno Grande for the preservation of this species is emphasized. Sigmoidotropis snakiae, together with S. grandiflora, is only the second species of the genus identified in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Overlooked Bird Extinctions in Semideciduous Atlantic Forests.

The semideciduous forest is a prominent yet highly degraded phytophysiognomy within the Atlantic Forest. Historically, bird species inhabiting these forests occurred throughout central and western São Paulo state, south-eastern Brazil, until the mid-20th century. Many of these species have not been observed again or are nearing extinction within the state's inland forest fragments. This study reviews and compares historical and recent ornithological records, using museum specimens, literature, citizen science and recent field surveys to understand these species' current lack of records. In the early 20th century, extensive deforestation occurred statewide, resulting in the current forest fragments, which are currently in various stages of regeneration, conservation and isolation. Many of these fragments lack the specific habitats some species require, or they have not been recolonised due to insufficient connectivity with other forest fragments where these species still exist (particularly in the eastern Atlantic Forest). The non-detection of forest species in semideciduous forest fragments strongly suggests an unprecedented and largely unnoticed extinction scale. This pattern of defaunation, as predicted 30 years ago, may be prevalent across numerous Semideciduous Atlantic Forests in Brazil.

A new temporin with antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity from the skin secretion of Lithobates palmipes (Spix, 1824) (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Brazilian Atlantic Forest

This work investigated the peptide profile of skin secretion from Lithobates palmipes collected from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The secretion was submitted to reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the fractions were screened for antibacterial activity. RP-HPLC resulted in the separation of several peaks, among which 10 showed antibacterial activity and contained peptides of the ranatuerin, brevinin and temporin families. Fraction 6 was resubmitted to RP-HPLC and a novel peptide from temporin family (temporin-PMb) had its primary structure determined. Temporin-PMb and non-amidated temporin-PMb were synthesized, purified, and evaluated for antibacterial activity, hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity to keratinocytes and cancer cells. Temporin-PMb was active against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as against methicilin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter baumannii. It was cytotoxic to human cervical adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa) and human mammary adenocarcinoma cells (MCF7) with IC50 of 32.4 and 24.1 μM, respectively. It was also toxic to human keratinocytes (HaCaT; IC50 of 25.0 μM) and showed hemolytic activity. The non-amidated form showed low hemolytic activity and lower HaCaT toxicity, but was only effective against E. coli, S. aureus MRSA, and A. baumanii. In conclusion, Atlantic Forest L. palmipes skin secretion contained different bioactive peptides, including a novel temporin with antibacterial effect and cytotoxicity towards human cancer cells. The amide group was responsible for the activities of the wild-type temporin-PMb. Peptide engineering studies are encouraged aiming at minimizing unwanted effects.

Trends in admission to the Wildlife Screening Center in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, from 2011 to 2021

Background and Aim: The Wild Animal Screening Center in Espírito Santo State (CETAS-ES), Brazil, treats wildlife from trafficking and illegal trade, accidents, captivity, and rescue from out of their habitat. The present study described the trends in wildlife admission to the CETAS-ES over the past 10 years and discussed the impact of animal exploitation. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study used a database provided by the CETAS-ES with data on animals admitted between 2011 and 2021, including admission year, origin, place of captivity, taxonomic category, sex, life stage, and health status. Results: Over 10 years, 23,176 animals were admitted, with an annual average of 2,106 admissions. Seizing was the most common origin (60.39%), followed by rescues/collections (22.60%) and voluntary delivery (11.7%), whereas 5.3% had unidentified origins. Birds were the most frequently admitted animals (80.6%) and were predominant among those seized (97.5%), rescued/collected (46.7%), and voluntarily delivered (73.2%). Mammals represented 45.0% of rescues/collections and reptiles represented 19.0% of voluntary deliveries. Conclusion: The admissions reveal a vulnerable scenario for wildlife in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest of Espírito Santo State, mainly affecting birds. Seizing was a common occurrence over the decade, reinforcing the necessity of actions to prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade. Keywords: Atlantic Rainforest, biodiversity, fauna, wildlife trade.

GPS-telemetry as a method to assess nest attendance by a female broad-snouted caiman Caiman latirostris

Crocodylians exhibit parental care, guarding their eggs during incubation to ensure offspring survival. We present the first description of nest attendance of a wild broad-snouted caiman using GPS-telemetry. During the reproductive season of 2022, we tracked a 1.8-metre female in the Tapacurá reservoir, a water source bordered by Atlantic Forest remnants and human settlements in north-eastern Brazil. Telemetry data revealed that 75.8% of the female’s position records were near the nest, suggesting parental care and nest protection. However, the female periodically returned to water. We observed no differences in proximity to the nest between day and night-time, which could be possibly related to different egg predators in the area foraging at different times of the day. Furthermore, the period when the nest was unattended could be associated with either feeding activities or avoidance of human presence. This research brings light on an important part of the reproductive behaviour of broad-snouted caimans in their natural environment, highlighting the importance of GPS-telemetry as a tool for monitoring reproductive behaviour of crocodylians, while contributing to understanding their biology under human-influenced settings. Keywords: Atlantic Forest, crocodylian, movement, parental care, reproductive biology

Linking changes in landscape structure to insect herbivory in forest edges and interiors of Atlantic Forest remnants.

Human activities have triggered profound changes in natural landscapes, resulting in species loss and disruption of pivotal ecological interactions such as insect herbivory. This antagonistic interaction is affected by complex pathways (e.g., abundance of herbivores and predators, plant chemical defenses, and resource availability), but the knowledge regarding how forest loss and fragmentation affect insect herbivory in human-modified tropical landscapes still remains poorly understood. In this context, we assessed multi-pathways by which changes in landscape structure likely influence insect herbivory in 20 Atlantic forest fragments in Brazil. Using path analysis, we estimated the direct effects of forest cover and forest edge density, and the indirect effect via canopy openness, number of understory plants and phenolic compounds, on leaf damage in understory plants located in the edge and interior of forest fragments. In particular, plants located in forest edges experienced greater leaf damage than interior ones. We observed that landscape edge density exerted a positive and direct effect on leaf damage in plants sampled at the edge of forest fragments. Our findings also indicated that forest loss and increase of edge density led to an increase in the canopy opening in the forest interior, which causes a reduction in the number of understory plants and, consequently, an increase in leaf damage. In addition, we detected that phenolic compounds negatively influence leaf damage in forest interior plants. Given the increasing forest loss in tropical regions, in which forest fragments become stranded in highly deforested, edge-dominated and degraded landscapes, our study highlights the pervasive enhancement in insect herbivory in remaining forest fragments-especially along forest edges and canopy gaps in the forest interior. As a result, increased herbivory is likely to affect forest regeneration and accelerate the ecological meltdown processes in these highly deforested and disturbed anthropogenic landscapes.

Vertical Stratification of Butterfly Assemblages Persists in Highly Disturbed Forest Fragments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Vertical stratification is a property of forest habitats related to the differential distribution of organisms according to the variation in the conditions, from the understory to the canopy. Here, we aimed to test whether butterfly assemblages from highly disturbed forests maintain the pattern of vertical stratification. We hypothesized that degraded forests would not exhibit vertical stratification due to the low variation in the microhabitat conditions along the vertical gradient, resulting from the canopy openness. To test this, we sampled fruit-feeding butterflies with bait traps, alternately disposed between the understory and canopy of three secondary forest fragments in a very fragmented Atlantic Forest landscape, for one year. We found that the vertical strata differed in terms of species composition, with a high contribution by the nestedness component on the beta diversity spatial variation. The understory assemblages had a higher abundance and were more diverse than the upper stratum. We demonstrated that vertical stratification is maintained even in disturbed forests; however, this does not necessarily provide support for a good quality and functioning ecosystem in these habitats. The butterfly assemblages recorded here are a subset of the species pool that inhabits conserved remnants. Thus, even being represented by species commonly found in disturbed habitats, the dynamic of vertical stratification of assemblages remains.

Integrated targeted and untargeted metabolomics profiling of Vanilla species from the Atlantic Forest: Unveiling the bioeconomic potential of Vanilla cribbiana

In this study, we employ both targeted and untargeted approaches to explore the metabolomic profiles of Vanilla spp., with a particular focus on V. cribbiana (VCR) and its comparison with V. planifolia (VP). We also examine V. bahiana and V. chamissonis using targeted approaches. Through advanced analytical techniques, our untargeted LC-HRMS approach led to the annotation of 60 metabolites, revealing a complex chemical composition with 34 novel compounds in the Vanilla genus in VCR and VP. These findings highlight significant flavoring compounds and lay the foundation for a subsequent quantitative estimation approach. Our targeted analysis, which measured key molecules, underscores VCR's potential in producing vanillin and acetovanillone at levels comparable to the commercially valuable VP and even higher levels of vanillic acid. This research enriches our understanding of flavor composition in vanilla species and emphasizes the importance of exploring wild relatives of vanilla crop for sustainable production and biodiversity conservation.

Seasonal and circadian rhythms of clerodane diterpenes and glycosylated flavonoids in two varieties of Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae)

Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae) is noted for its morphological and chemical plasticity and pharmacological properties. The present study investigates two of its varieties: C. sylvestris var. sylvestris, predominant in dense and humid forests and ecotones and characterized by clerodane diterpenes; and C. sylvestris var. lingua, mainly found in xeric and open savannah areas and containing phenolic compounds. Despite their comprehensive chemical profiles, the dynamics of clerodane diterpenes and glycosylated flavonoids remain unknown. This study thus aimed to describe seasonal and circadian variations in their content in the leaves of the two varieties. The relative contents of five diterpenes and three glycosylated flavonoids were monitored monthly, every 3 h for 48 h, over 1 year via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection (HPLC-UV-DAD). The differential expression of photosynthetic proteins (Rubisco and photosystem II) was analyzed by Western blotting. The contents of both chemical classes decreased during the reproductive stage, though the prevalence of diterpenes in var. sylvestris and flavonoids in var. lingua remained unchanged; furthermore, even when the plants are grown under the same geographic and environmental conditions, Rubisco expression in var. lingua is twice that of var. sylvestris. In var. lingua, photosystem II proteins are 10% less expressed. The study reveals the circadian and seasonal fluctuations and, thus, prevalence of the two main compound classes in the examined varieties. The expression of the investigated photosynthetic proteins provides insights into the two varieties, supporting the prevalence of var. lingua in Cerrado areas and var. sylvestris in Atlantic Forest areas.

Assessing Land-Cover Changes in the Natural Park ‘Fragas do Eume’ over the Last 25 Years: Insights from Remote Sensing and Machine Learning

The ‘Fragas do Eume’ Natural Park includes one of the best-preserved Atlantic forests in Europe. These forests are part of the Natura 2000 Network. This scientific study focuses on analysing land-cover changes in the ‘Fragas do Eume’ Natural Park (NW Spain) over a 25-year period, from 1997 to 2022, using machine learning techniques for the classification of satellite images. Several image processing operations were carried out to correct radiometry, followed by supervised classification techniques with previously defined training areas. Five multispectral indices were used to improve classification accuracy, and their correlation was evaluated. Land-cover changes were analysed, with special attention to the transitions between eucalyptus plantations and native deciduous forests. A significant increase in eucalyptus plantations (48.2%) (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) was observed, while native deciduous forests experienced a decrease in their extent (17.6%). This transformation of the landscape affected not only these two habitats, but also cropland and scrubland areas, both of which increased. Our results suggest that the lack of effective conservation policies and the economic interest of fast-growing tree plantations could explain the loss of native deciduous forests. The results highlight the need to implement pro-active and sustainable management measures to protect these natural forest ecosystems in the ‘Fragas do Eume’ Natural Park.