RESTINGA The strip of sand serves as a breeding and feeding ground for some creatures. Sea turtles, for example, create their nests by laying their eggs there. In this space there is a higher concentration of salts and moisture brought in by the sea. Dunes move according to the wind, which is why these formations help to contain the winds coming from the ocean. Vegetation, on the other hand, provides structure for the dunes, and this connection, when preserved, acts as a natural barrier, preventing the sea from advancing. Few plant species are able to adapt and develop in this region, which is characterized by low, spaced vegetation that resembles a carpet. It is also common to find thorny bromeliads and cacti making up this scenery. In this region the soil is a little more stable, which is why there is an increase in the diversity of plant and animal species. During periods of flooding, the scenery resembles a swamp. A little further from the sea, the vegetation reaches larger sizes, around 15 meters high. The leaves, branches and some fruit provide shade, and when they fall, they fertilize the soil. DRY OR WET? Although the restinga has a drier characteristic, there are also environments that occur during a certain season of the year. This is the case with temporary pools, aquatic ecosystems of great importance for the life cycle of many species. Despite their momentary existence, they shelter and provide ideal conditions for the development of various animals, including fish. DID YOU KNOW? In Maricá-RJ, there is a species of annual fish, Leptolebias citrinipinnis, which is endemic and only occurs in this region, with a distribution in the temporary pools between the municipalities of Itaipuaçu and Barra de Maricá. The life cycle of this group is very short. The eggs are deposited on the bottom and remain in slow development throughout the dry season. The chicks hatch with the next rain and then the cycle begins again. The Annual fish are also known as cloud fish because of the belief that they were formed in the clouds before the rains.