The Aparados da Serra National Park (Portuguese: Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra) is a national park found in the Serra Geral mountain range of the Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states in southern Brazil, between 29º07'—29º15' S and 50º01'—50º10' W. It was established in 1959 as one of Brazil's earliest national parks to protect the Itaimbezinho canyon. The park covers an area of 10,250 hectares and also includes the Fortaleza, Malacara, and Índios Coroado canyons.

Geology

The geology of Aparados da Serra da Serra National Park is mainly made up of volcanic rocks from the Paraná-Etendeka Large Igneous Province. These rocks are found in the area as part of the Serra Geral Group, which is divided into four lava layers: Torres, Vale do Sol, Palmas, and Esmeralda. Other rock types in the region include sedimentary rocks from the Paraná Basin, such as wind-blown sandstones from the Botucatu Formation.

In terms of landforms, the park is classified as a continental escarpment, which includes a raised plateau and deep river-carved valleys. Because the rocks in the area are very strong and resistant to wearing away, erosion happens very slowly. On the plateau, erosion is about 6 meters every million years, while on the escarpment, it is up to 50 meters every million years.

Flora and fauna

Although it is not very large, the park is known for having many different types of plants and animals. This is because the area has varied landforms and is located where coastal forests, grasslands, and Araucaria moist forests meet. Scientists have recorded at least 143 bird species, 48 mammal species, and 39 amphibian species in the park.

Endangered animals found on the park's plateaus include the red-spectacled amazon parrot, maned wolf, and cougar. On the slopes, the neotropical otter, ocelot, and brown howling monkey live.

Conservation and threats

In 1959, the national park covered an area of 13,000 hectares. By 1972, this area was reduced to 10,250 hectares due to a presidential decree. In 1992, the Serra Geral National Park was established next to the original park, adding 17,300 hectares to the protected area. However, according to Duke University's Center for Tropical Conservation, the total area of the park, even after including the Serra Geral National Park, is still too small to properly protect examples of each unique environment.

A major challenge for conservation is that the state only owns 67.5% of the land within the park's boundaries, and some of that land is used by farmers. Practices such as raising cattle, using fire to clear grasslands, growing banana plantations with pesticides, and the presence of domestic animals all harm the environment. Additional threats include non-native plant species from nearby areas and illegal hunting.

At present, the park allows a maximum of 1,500 visitors each day.