A pedological analysis was carried out on the ecologically important Atlantic Forest system, as a contribution to the study of its biodiversity. Focus is placed on some factors that can influence local diversity, such as soil depth, that varies within short distances. The reasons for prohibiting the cultivation of hilly soils by small farmers is also questioned. It is suggested that radiation, water and nutrient resources, should be emphasized, since they are essential to ecosystem functioning, instead of indirect variables. Based on pedological information, ten great environments in the Atlantic Forest were identified. Comments related to water and nutrients, and observations related to use, fragility and ecological importance are made about each stratified ecosystem. Two great ecosystems are indicated as potentially very important to diversity: shallow soil areas and rock outcrops and humic soil areas (a very important carbon sink), in the higher portions of the landscape.
Biodiversity; Atlantic Forest; pedosystems
