Serra do Gandarela National Park (Brazil)

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Last updated 1 year ago

Serra do Gandarela National Park (Brazil)

Sun, 11/21/2021 - 18:48

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Protected Area

Serra do Gandarela National Park is situated within the Espinhaço Range and harbors a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Waters from the Serra do Gandarela feed the basin of the Das Velhas River, which supplies the city of Belo Horizonte and the metropolitan region.

Serra do Gandarela National Park

Serra do Gandarela National Park is located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, approximately 40 km (25 mi) from the city of Belo Horizonte, for which it is an important water source.

Established in 2014, the National Park has an area of 31,270 ha (77,271 acres). Its purpose is to preserve samples of the biological and geological heritage associated with the Iron Quadrangle region, including alpine meadows and remnants of the semi-deciduous forest, as well as the scenery of the mountains, plateaus, rivers, waterfalls and natural vegetation.

The National Park is situated within the Espinhaço Range and harbors a remnant of the Atlantic Forest. Waters from the Serra do Gandarela feed the basin of the Das Velhas River, a tributary of the São Francisco River, the Piracicaba River and the Doce River.

The Das Velhas basin provides over 60% of the water for the city of Belo Horizonte and 45% of the water for the metropolitan region. The water is clean and requires little treatment.

Located in the heart of the Iron Quadrangle, the largest national producer of raw iron ore, the area was also a vital gold hub in the 17th and 18th centuries. As a result, this transition region between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes contributes to species diversity.

The Serra do Gandarela contains over 100 caves. Some support unique species, and some contain archaeological sites. Nature-related attractions include waterfalls and viewpoints.

Among the animal species that live in the National Park are theː Chaco eagle (Harpyhaliaetus coronatus), cinereous warbling finch (Poospiza cinerea), cougar (Puma concolor), brown howler (Alouatta guariba), tayra (Eira barbara), margay (Leopardus wiedii), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), masked titi (Callicebus personatus), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla), long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus septemcinctus) and jaguar (Panthera onca).