It contains an area of almost untouched Amazon rainforest inhabited by communities that rely on manioc farming, small-scale animal husbandry, fishing, hunting and gathering.

Soils are generally poor apart from areas that receive deposits of nutrients from the mineral-rich Juruá River flood waters.

Forests coverage includes flooded and terra firma alluvial Amazon rainforest ecosystems.

[2] The reserve is home to several communities, some very isolated and traditional with strong elements of the local indigenous people, and some more influenced by the external world.

[2] The staple food is manioc flour, enhanced by hunting wild animals and gathering fruits, roots and leaves of the forest plants.

There is perceived ongoing degradation to some environments due to overfishing of some species and excessive capture of turtles and other wildlife.