Serra Furada State Park

Serra Furada State Park is located in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, divided between the municipalities of Orleans and Grão Pará. Created in 1980, it covers an area of 1,330 ha (3,300 acres) in the densely forested mountain region, part of the Atlantic Forest biome.

As part of the core zone of the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve, Serra Furada State Park protects rare and endangered forest species, unusual altitude vegetation and primary forests of great importance for regeneration of the local forests.

The park is situated on the escarpment of the Serra Geral and covers parts of the Serra Geral and Botucatu geological formations.

The western portion of the park is adjacent to the São Joaquim National Park, which was created in 1961 to halt the devastation of the Araucaria pine forests of the region. The two parks together form a continuous forest area.

Altitudes vary from 400 - 1,480 m (1,310 - 4,860 ft). There are cliffs in the highest areas and deep valleys created by fluvial solid erosion. There are rounded hills in areas where sedimentary rocks predominate.

Serra Furada State Park contributes to the sources of important local rivers such as the Minador River (a tributary of the Laranjeiras River, which is, in turn, a tributary of the Tubarão River) as well as the Meio and Braço Esquerdo rivers that drain into the sub-basin of the Braço do Norte River.

Vegetation within the park is characteristic of the Atlantic Forest biome: submontane, montane and high montane formations. In addition, particular types of pioneer vegetation cling to the steep walls of the Serra Geral.

Initial studies during the preparation of the Management Plan found 174 species of birds, ten species of mammals, 23 species of amphibians, 14 species of reptiles, and 12 species of fish.