The area is mostly forest-covered, although there are some patches of open cerrado vegetation which once stretched to the coast.

Adult and sapling specimens of Caesalpinia echinata (Brazil wood) are common.

The purpose is to fully protect the biota and other natural attributes without human interference.

Specifically, it is to protect one of the last well-preserved remnants of Atlantic Forest in the north east of Brazil, which may be harboring a variety of plant and animal species, and may play an important role in preserving genetic diversity.

[2] Protected species include white-necked hawk (Buteogallus lacernulatus), oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), black-cheeked gnateater (Conopophaga melanops), rufous gnateater (Conopophaga lineata), buff-throated purpletuft (Iodopleura pipra), blue-crowned motmot (Momotus momota), scalloped antbird (Myrmeciza ruficauda), spot-winged wood quail (Odontophorus capueira), rusty-margined guan (Penelope superciliaris), golden-spangled piculet (Picumnus exilis), white-throated spadebill (Platyrinchus mystaceus) and plain xenops (Xenops minutus).