São Joaquim

São Joaquim National Park, located in the highlands of Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil, protects approximately 49,300 hectares of Araucaria forest (floresta ombrófila mista), highland grasslands (campos de altitude), and Atlantic Forest remnants at elevations above 1,000 meters. Established in 1961, it is one of the oldest national parks in southern Brazil and protects ecosystems associated with the southern Brazilian highlands, including the southernmost patches of subtropical highland grasslands. The park encompasses the Pedrão, the highest peak in Santa Catarina at approximately 1,822 meters. São Joaquim is also known for snowfall, one of the few places in Brazil where snow occurs regularly.

The highland grasslands and Araucaria forests support endemic and threatened species of southern Brazil. The maned wolf, South American tapir, puma, and ocelot inhabit the park. The southern pudu (Pudu pudu), the world's smallest deer, reaches its northern range limit in the Santa Catarina highlands. Highland specialty birds include the vinaceous-breasted amazon parrot, glaucous macaw (possibly extinct), and numerous Atlantic Forest endemics. The park is critical for the conservation of the giant ground wren and several highland grassland specialists. Streams support the neotropical river otter. Amphibians endemic to the southern Brazilian highlands are present.

The Araucaria angustifolia (Paraná pine) forest—one of the most distinctive ecosystems of southern Brazil—is the dominant vegetation. Araucaria trees, with their characteristic umbrella-shaped crowns, reach 30-40 meters and dominate the highland forest. Associated species include Ocotea pulchella and various Ilex and Podocarpus species. The understorey is characterized by tree ferns (Dicksonia sellowiana) and yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis). Highland campo grasslands on shallow soils above rocky outcrops support specialized flora including orchids (Cattleya intermedia) and bromeliads. These highland grasslands are critically threatened, with less than 0.5% remaining in good condition.

São Joaquim sits on the Paraná Plateau, a vast basalt plateau formed by one of the largest volcanic events in Earth's history—the Paraná-Etendeka flood basalt province of approximately 132 million years ago. The park's substrate is predominantly basaltic, with some sandstone interspersed. Intensive weathering of basalt has produced deep, fertile red soils (terra roxa) in lower areas. The high elevation rocky outcrops expose older basement formations. The plateau edge creates escarpments and waterfalls where rivers plunge toward the coastal lowlands.

The climate is humid subtropical highland (Cwb-Cfb), with cold winters and mild summers. Mean annual temperature is around 13-15°C, with winter minimums regularly below 0°C. Snow falls on an average of 5-10 days per year, primarily July-August, and occasionally accumulates to 20-30 cm. Annual precipitation is around 1,600-2,000 mm, distributed throughout the year. Summer thunderstorms are frequent and intense. Frost occurs on over 50 days per year at higher elevations. These climatic conditions are exceptional within the Brazilian tropical context, creating a cool, damp, forested highland.

The highlands of Santa Catarina were traditionally inhabited by the Xokleng (Botocudo) people, hunter-gatherers who occupied the Araucaria forests. European settlement, particularly by Italian and German immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, transformed the surrounding highlands through intensive agriculture and livestock raising. The Araucaria forests were heavily logged for timber (Araucaria wood being prized for construction and furniture) throughout the first half of the 20th century. The city of São Joaquim, gateway to the park, became known for apple orchid cultivation following the introduction of temperate-climate fruit growing.

São Joaquim National Park was created by Law No. 40.616 of December 1961, one of the earliest in southern Brazil. Its creation aimed to protect the remnant Araucaria forest, which had been heavily exploited for timber. The park is administered by ICMBio. In its early decades, the park suffered from encroachment by cattle ranching and illegal logging, but enforcement has improved. The park participated in national programs for the recovery of Araucaria forests and highland grasslands, recognized as one of Brazil's most endangered ecosystems.

The park offers several trails exploring Araucaria forest and highland grassland ecosystems. The Pedrão peak trail provides views over the Santa Catarina highlands. Canyon-viewing points offer dramatic vistas over escarpments dropping toward the coast. The Cachoeira do Avencal waterfall is a popular attraction within the park. Snowfall events in June-August draw significant tourist interest from across Brazil. Birdwatching is excellent in the Araucaria forest, with vinaceous-breasted amazon parrots and large flocks of Araucaria-seed specialists. Night walks allow observation of owls, including the striking burrowing owl.

The park has a visitor center and entrance control near São Joaquim town, which has a full range of tourist infrastructure including hotels specializing in highland and snow tourism. São Joaquim is accessible by paved highway from Florianópolis (approximately 230 km) and from Lages. Entry fees are charged, and guided tours are available. The park is open year-round, with the snow season (June-August) being the peak tourist period. The nearby Cânion do Corisco and other highland landscapes complement the park experience. A research station supports scientific work.

São Joaquim National Park faces pressure from surrounding intensive apple orchid cultivation, which uses pesticides that affect forest edge wildlife. The highland grasslands (campos) within and around the park are threatened by land abandonment leading to shrub encroachment, or by conversion to pine and eucalyptus plantations. Livestock grazing inside the park boundaries is a historical problem that ICMBio is addressing. Invasive exotic species, including European rose-hip bushes and bracken fern, colonize disturbed areas. The Araucaria tree, listed as critically endangered internationally, requires active management to ensure regeneration.