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2.3 Study Area
Studies performed by this project were conducted mainly in a large estuarine system
called Estuarine Lagoon Complex of Iguape Cananéia Paranaguá. The huge biodiversity of the region attracted the attention of researchers to this area at the beginning of 1980s. They looked to main species that inhabit that place and one received
particular attention, the Guiana dolphin. This region presents an environmental
complexity, composed by several river that flow into the estuary and creates many
lagoons, mangrove islands, flooded areas and sand beaches. At many of these places
is possible to watch plenty of coastal and estuarine species that here to forage,
breed, and raise offspring.
The estuary is part of the biggest remaining patch of Atlantic rain forest (SOS
Mata Atlântica 2013), located between boundaries of States of São Paulo and Paraná
(Fig. 2.2). Belongs to one of the most important Brazilian coastal ecosystem
Fig. 2.2 Map of at Estuarine Lagoon Complex of Iguape Cananéia Paranaguá, located at boundaries of States of São Paulo and State of Paraná, Brazil. (a) Detailed map of Cananéia estuary, State
of São Paulo, Brazil. (b) Detailed map of Paranaguá estuary, State of Paraná, Brazil
E.L.A. Monteiro-Filho et al.
2.3 Study Area
Studies performed by this project were conducted mainly in a large estuarine system
called Estuarine Lagoon Complex of Iguape Cananéia Paranaguá. The huge biodiversity of the region attracted the attention of researchers to this area at the beginning of 1980s. They looked to main species that inhabit that place and one received
particular attention, the Guiana dolphin. This region presents an environmental
complexity, composed by several river that flow into the estuary and creates many
lagoons, mangrove islands, flooded areas and sand beaches. At many of these places
is possible to watch plenty of coastal and estuarine species that here to forage,
breed, and raise offspring.
The estuary is part of the biggest remaining patch of Atlantic rain forest (SOS
Mata Atlântica 2013), located between boundaries of States of São Paulo and Paraná
(Fig. 2.2). Belongs to one of the most important Brazilian coastal ecosystem
Fig. 2.2 Map of at Estuarine Lagoon Complex of Iguape Cananéia Paranaguá, located at boundaries of States of São Paulo and State of Paraná, Brazil. (a) Detailed map of Cananéia estuary, State
of São Paulo, Brazil. (b) Detailed map of Paranaguá estuary, State of Paraná, Brazil
E.L.A. Monteiro-Filho et al.