Serra do Japi, Biological reserve in São Paulo State, Brazil.
Serra do Japi is a mountain chain stretching across several municipalities in São Paulo and reaching elevations up to 1,260 meters. The terrain is covered in Atlantic Forest vegetation, with different forest types interspersed throughout the range.
Early naturalists called this place the 'castle of waters' because of its abundant springs, which drove the development of surrounding towns. These water resources were crucial to the region's settlement over centuries.
The name Japi comes from the Tupi-Guarani language and refers to the natural springs scattered throughout the mountain range. Local communities have long recognized these water sources as vital to their way of life.
The area is accessible through several hiking trails that cross different elevations and forest types. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and steep sections along the paths.
At the transition zones between two different forest types, specialized habitats have formed where plants have developed unique adaptations. These border areas contain a mix of species that would otherwise live in each forest type separately.
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