Campos de Palmas

The Campos de Palmas Wildlife Refuge is a federal protected area straddling the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, centered on the municipality of Palmas in the southern highlands. The refuge protects a mosaic of highland grasslands (campos de altitude) interspersed with Araucaria forest patches on the Paraná plateau, at elevations ranging from 950 to 1,300 meters above sea level. This highland grassland ecosystem, known locally as campos sulinos, is one of the most threatened and least protected vegetation types in Brazil. The refuge was established to safeguard the last significant populations of the marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) and several endemic grassland bird species found in this high-elevation habitat.

The Campos de Palmas is critically important for the marsh deer, a large wetland cervid that uses the wet grasslands and floodplains of the highland plateau. The refuge also harbors significant populations of pampas deer, giant anteaters, maned wolves, and South American coati. The grassland bird community is exceptionally rich, with several near-endemic species including the Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octosetaceus), one of the rarest waterfowl in the world, recorded along the fast-flowing highland streams. Other notable birds include the Lesser Rhea, Greater Rhea, Cock-tailed Tyrant, and various seedeaters and spinetails associated with South American subtropical grasslands. Streams and small wetlands support the giant otter in remnant populations.

The dominant vegetation is subtropical grassland (campos sulinos) characterized by native grasses of the genera Andropogon, Paspalum, and Aristida, interspersed with small shrubs and forbs typical of the South Brazilian Plateau. The grasslands transition to Araucaria Forest (Mata de Araucária) on the slopes and in protected valleys, where the iconic Paraná pine (Araucaria angustifolia) forms the dominant canopy. The Araucaria Forest is a critically endangered ecosystem, with less than 3% of its original extent remaining. Gallery forests along stream corridors contain a distinct mix of subtropical tree species. The campos contain numerous endemic plant species, including several terrestrial orchids and composites found only on the Southern Brazilian Plateau.

The Campos de Palmas refuge sits on the southern portion of the Serra Geral geological formation, a vast basaltic lava plateau formed by volcanic eruptions associated with the opening of the South Atlantic approximately 133 million years ago. The plateau was created by one of the largest volcanic events in Earth's history, the Paraná-Etendeka Large Igneous Province, which produced thousands of meters of basaltic flows. The basalt weathers to form the deep, fertile terra roxa soils that characterize much of the Paraná plateau, though at higher elevations the soils tend to be thinner and more acidic, supporting the native grassland vegetation. Frost is common on the highland plateau in winter, and snow occasionally falls at the highest elevations.

The Campos de Palmas experiences a subtropical highland climate (Cfb) with no distinct dry season and cold winters that can bring frost and occasional snowfall. Mean annual temperature is approximately 14–16°C, significantly cooler than the surrounding lowlands due to the high-elevation plateau location. Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year, averaging 1,800–2,200 mm annually, with the winter months bringing frequent cold fronts from the south. Temperatures can drop below 0°C from June through August, and frost occurs on average 15–20 nights per year. These cold temperatures limit agriculture and historically prevented the clearing of native grasslands that occurred extensively in the warmer lowlands of Paraná and Santa Catarina.

The highland plateau of Palmas was inhabited by Kaingang and Guaraní indigenous peoples who practiced a seasonal transhumance pattern, moving between highland and lowland zones depending on resource availability. The campos were valued for hunting marsh deer and rheas. Portuguese and later European immigrants, particularly Germans and Italians, settled the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, introducing cattle ranching that gradually transformed portions of the native grasslands. The town of Palmas was established as a cattle-ranching center for the high plateau, and the region became known for the production of erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) harvested from native Araucaria forests.

The Campos de Palmas Wildlife Refuge was established by the Brazilian federal government in recognition of the area's exceptional biodiversity value and the critical threats facing the subtropical grassland ecosystem. Prior to formal federal protection, conservation organizations documented the presence of the critically endangered Brazilian Merganser and highlighted the importance of the highland grasslands for threatened vertebrates. The wildlife refuge classification was chosen over stricter categories because it permits sustainable use by local communities, including traditional cattle ranching practices that, when properly managed, can be compatible with grassland biodiversity conservation. ICMBio manages the refuge in partnership with local landowners and municipalities.

The Campos de Palmas offers visitors opportunities to explore native highland grasslands and Araucaria forest landscapes that have almost entirely disappeared elsewhere in southern Brazil. Walking trails through the campos allow observation of maned wolves, giant anteaters, and the distinctive highland grassland birds. The highland streams and waterfalls are accessible on foot, and birdwatchers come specifically to search for the Brazilian Merganser in appropriate river habitats. The scenic landscape of open campos with Araucaria trees silhouetted against the sky is a distinctive visual feature of southern Brazil's highland ecosystem that is increasingly rare to observe in an intact state.

The municipality of Palmas in Paraná provides the main gateway to the wildlife refuge, with basic accommodation and dining available in the town. The nearest airports are in Francisco Beltrão (approximately 80 km) and Chapecó in Santa Catarina (approximately 100 km), with connections to major southern Brazilian cities. Access within the refuge requires prior coordination with ICMBio's local management team, as much of the area is on private landholdings within the refuge boundaries. Local rural tourism operators offer guided experiences including farm stays and guided grassland wildlife walks that comply with refuge management regulations.

The primary conservation challenge at Campos de Palmas is the conversion of native grasslands to agricultural uses, particularly intensive soybean farming and exotic tree plantations (primarily pine and eucalyptus) that have replaced large areas of the highland campos in neighboring municipalities. Within the refuge, the main management issue is ensuring that traditional cattle ranching is practiced at densities compatible with grassland biodiversity. Overgrazing can reduce native grass diversity and allow invasive exotic grasses to establish. ICMBio promotes grassland management training for local ranchers and supports the development of pasture certification schemes that reward biodiversity-friendly ranching practices. Fire management is also a key tool, as periodic burning maintains the open grassland structure required by specialized grassland species.