Serra do Cachimbo Ecological Station is a strictly protected conservation unit in Pará, Brazil, preserving large tracts of Amazonian rainforest and cerrado transition zones, offering unique biodiversity and crucial habitat for endemic species.
Serra do Cachimbo Ecological Station covers an extensive area in the southern part of Pará state in northern Brazil. Designated as an ecological station, it functions primarily as a strict nature reserve with an emphasis on scientific research and biodiversity conservation. The geography of the station features a diverse topography that includes plateaus, mountain ranges, and river valleys, acting as a transition zone between the dense Amazon rainforest and the cerrado biome. This creates an ecotone with high ecological diversity, housing a variety of flora and fauna unique to the region. The station protects numerous endemic and threatened species, including several rare birds, mammals, and plants adapted to its relatively isolated environment.
Historically established in 1997, the Serra do Cachimbo Ecological Station has played a vital role in safeguarding habitats from deforestation and other human disturbances common in the Amazon basin. Due to its status as an ecological station, public access is highly restricted, making recreational activities limited, but it is an important site for scientific studies of Amazonian biodiversity, hydrological cycles, and the impact of climate change in this critical ecosystem.
Notable natural landmarks within the area include its rugged highlands, distinctive watercourses feeding into important Amazon tributaries, and patches of cerrado landscape within forested regions. Though generally closed to tourism, the station’s scientific importance and the pristine condition of its environments offer valuable insights into conservation practices and ecological processes.
Researchers and authorized personnel visiting the area benefit from experiencing one of the better-preserved Amazon biome transition zones, providing a reference point for biodiversity assessments and forest restoration efforts in the region.
Ecotone between Amazon rainforest and cerrado biome
Habitat for endangered and endemic plant and animal species
Rugged highland plateaus and pristine river valleys
Critical site for biodiversity and ecological research in the Brazilian Amazon
High elevation plateaus and mountain ranges that define the area's unique geography and climate.
Ecotonal area supporting species from both Amazon rainforest and cerrado biomes, leading to high ecological variety.
Several important rivers originate or run through the station, feeding into the greater Amazon basin.