The park serves as a crucial habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species. Notable mammals include the jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), woolly spider monkey (Brachyteles arachnoides), and the endangered black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara). The park is also home to over 300 bird species, including the red-tailed Amazon parrot and the endangered red-browed Amazon. Various amphibians and reptiles endemic to the Atlantic Forest can also be found within the park boundaries.
Guaricana National Park protects a rich diversity of Atlantic Forest vegetation, including primary and secondary rainforest. The park features several distinct forest types, from lowland coastal forests to mountain cloud forests. Notable species include the endangered Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia), numerous bromeliads, orchids, and the namesake Guaricana palm (Geonoma schottiana). The park's varied elevation zones support different vegetation communities, with over 450 documented plant species, many of which are endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome.
The park is situated within the Serra do Mar mountain range, featuring dramatic granite and gneiss formations that were created during the breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent. The landscape is characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, and numerous waterfalls, with elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters. The park's geological foundation consists primarily of Precambrian metamorphic rocks, with significant deposits of quartzite and schist. Erosion and tectonic activity have shaped the region's distinctive topography over millions of years.
Guaricana National Park was established in 2014 to protect a significant portion of Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome. The park's name comes from the Guaricana palm tree, which is native to the region. Before its designation as a national park, the area was largely protected as part of the Serra do Mar mountain range ecological corridor. The region has historical significance dating back to indigenous peoples who inhabited the area, followed by early Portuguese colonists who explored the coastal mountains seeking gold and other precious minerals in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The park's most distinctive features include its extensive network of pristine waterfalls, particularly the Guaricana Falls, and its well-preserved stretches of Atlantic Forest. The park offers several hiking trails that provide access to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Serra do Mar mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean. The Guaricana River system runs through the park, creating important freshwater ecosystems. The park's location within the larger Serra do Mar ecological corridor makes it a crucial component in maintaining biodiversity connectivity along Brazil's southeastern coast.
Guaricana National Park experiences a subtropical climate typical of southern Brazil's Atlantic Forest region. The area receives significant rainfall throughout the year, with annual precipitation averaging 2,000-2,500mm. Summers (December to February) are warm and humid with temperatures ranging from 20-30°C (68-86°F), while winters (June to August) are mild with temperatures between 10-20°C (50-68°F). Moisture from the Atlantic Ocean creates frequent fog and mist, particularly in the morning hours, which contributes to the park's lush vegetation and diverse ecosystem.
Brazil
-25.7170°, -48.9330°
2014
494
Guaricana National Park protects a significant portion of Brazil's Atlantic Forest. The park features dense rainforest, numerous waterfalls, and rich biodiversity. It serves as an important wildlife corridor in the Serra do Mar mountain range.