In the Umã Hills clay soils prevail, in contrast with the sandy soils that characterize the area that surround it. The vegetation of the hills is mostly made up of bushes, with occasional stretches were larger trees are found. There are many capoeiras (open fields).

Local animals include hawks, owls, lizards, armadillos, skunks, snakes, cavies, anteaters, peccaries and guans. With the exception of the first two, these animals are frequently hunted - with the aid of dogs and shotguns - by the inhabitants of the area. Chicken, goats, cattle, sheep and pigs are raised domestically. Dogs are generally used for guarding the houses.

Umbu (hog plum) and passion fruit are the most common wild fruits. Planted fruits are the following (in order of importance): bananas, mango, cashew, papaya, pinha (the fruit of the sugar apple tree), guava, jack, coconut, oranges and limes. Honey production is significant.

Because agriculture is the basis of the Atikum economy, roças (planting fields) of cassava, maize, beans, rice, castor bean and cotton are common in the Umã Hills. In addition, marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is widely planted too - although not always by the Atikum -, since the hills, as well as the municipalities of Carnaubeira da Penha and Floresta, are part of the so-called "Marijuana Polygon", which comprises several municipalities of the interior of the State of Pernambuco.

Atikum houses are built of adobe or bricks; a few are made of straw.