Raso da Catarina Ecological Reserve, Ecological station in Bahia, Brazil.
The Raso da Catarina Ecological Reserve is an ecological station in Bahia with about 6,400 square kilometers of caatinga vegetation, rock formations, canyons, and diverse plant species adapted to a semi-arid climate. The landscape features dramatic geological structures and sparse vegetation patterns that respond to intense temperature swings and irregular rainfall.
The ecological station was established in 1984 to preserve natural habitats in northeastern Brazil and later gained recognition as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site. This designation highlights the site's global importance for conservation and biodiversity protection in the region.
The Pankarare indigenous people continue their traditional practices at the canyon entrance in an area called Baixa do Chico, maintaining their cultural identity in this landscape. This settlement represents an important center of community life and ancestral knowledge within the region.
Visitors need to arrange guided tours in advance through IBAMA and FUNAI, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary to navigate the extensive trail system. The terrain requires good physical preparation and proper equipment adapted to the dry environment and temperature extremes.
The reserve experiences extreme temperature swings, reaching about 40 degrees Celsius during the day and dropping to around 10 degrees at night, creating specialized living conditions for endemic species. This temperature range allows plants and animals found nowhere else in the world to thrive in this singular environment.
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