About our site

The Cananéia–Iguape–Peruíbe Environmental Protection Area, located on the southern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil, is one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the country. This protected area encompasses a vast and highly connected estuarine–lagoon–coastal system, including extensive mangroves, estuaries, coastal waters, and strong influence from the Atlantic Forest, one of the most biodiverse and threatened biomes in the world.

The region is part of one of the largest and best-preserved Atlantic Forest remnants in Brazil and provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries support, nursery habitats, carbon storage, and coastal protection. It also holds high cultural importance, as traditional communities and artisanal fishers depend directly on these ecosystems for their livelihoods and maintain deep ecological knowledge of the area.

Despite its ecological and social relevance, marine biodiversity in this region remains incompletely characterized, particularly from a molecular perspective. The area is currently under environmental management and conservation programs, but there is still a need for high-resolution biodiversity data to support long-term monitoring and informed decision-making.

What we plan to achieve

Through eDNA Expeditions, we aim to establish the first comprehensive molecular biodiversity baseline for the Cananéia–Iguape–Peruíbe Environmental Protection Area, enabling a deeper understanding of species composition across mangrove, estuarine, and coastal habitats. By applying eDNA metabarcoding, we will monitor a wide range of taxonomic groups and generate high-resolution data that can complement existing ecological surveys.

A central objective is to detect rare, cryptic, and invasive species that are often overlooked by traditional monitoring approaches, providing early warning signals of ecological change. We also aim to assess how biodiversity varies spatially and temporally across this large and environmentally heterogeneous system, and how these patterns are influenced by key environmental variables such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.

This work will directly support conservation and management by generating actionable, science-based information that can inform adaptive strategies within the protected area. By integrating eDNA data with ongoing monitoring programs, we will strengthen the capacity for long-term biodiversity assessment and improve the detection of emerging ecological threats.

In addition to its scientific goals, the project is designed to promote strong local engagement. We will involve schools, students, and artisanal fishers in sampling campaigns, workshops, and outreach activities, fostering environmental awareness and connecting scientific research with local knowledge. By combining cutting-edge molecular tools with community participation, we aim to contribute to more inclusive and effective conservation practices in this important South Atlantic coastal ecosystem.