Morro de Sao Paulo's natural environment is extremely rich, especially considering how old the colony is, you will find it is very much preserved. A considerable part of the island still has its original cover, rainforest, mangroves and riparian forest. Since 1992 Tinharé and Boipeba compose a nature reserve, although little has changed as a result. The most altered portions, aside from the small urban areas, are the coconut palm tree fields, which were, originally, forest. The first commercial activity here is a reminder of the origins of this country: the extraction of Pau Brasil, the tree that is famous as the origin of the name of the country of Brazil. Due to this activity, the shoreline occupied by forest was invaded by coconut trees brought from India by Portuguese explorers.
Atlantic rainforest is characterized by its enormous biodiversity. Countless plant species, not only trees, but lianas, bromeliads, orchids, palm trees and scrub vegetation. There is also a great variety of insects and fungi, a considerable number of bird and reptile species, as well as some small size mammals. Now this forest has a great number of trails which, once a year lead the piaçaba collectors to harvest the fiber of this type of palm tree.
The mangroves, in contrast to the rainforest, are very poor in plant species. There are four species which occur worldwide in this environment, and only two occur here: the red mangrove and the white mangrove. On the other hand, as a consequence of a great amount of organic matter, and for receiving salt water, this environment is a haven for diverse fauna: several species of crabs, lambretas and oysters (both mollusks), as well as fish. Many fish species which suffer human consumption spend much of their early life in the mangroves, hidden from open water predators.
There is another environment which may, at first, seem poor but actually is home to a great many species of animals and plants. The restinga forest shows an array of physiognomies, ranging from grasses and shrubs to swamps and low forest. It is also home to many bromeliad species and is characterized by its direct marine influence.
As for the coconut palm tree fields (coqueirais), although they have been planted, the ares which have been abandoned are well integrated to the native environment. Many animal species use the canopy. It is the easiest place to spot guaiamun crabs, small monkeys and birds.