Aparados da Serra National Park

The geology of the Aparados da Serra da Serra National Park is dominated by the presence of volcanic rocks of the Paraná-Etendeka Large Igneous Province, which are locally grouped in the Serra Geral Group. This geological group is further divided into four lava formations, namely Torres, Vale do Sol, Palmas, and Esmeralda. Because of the strong mechanical resistance of these rocks, erosion rates in the Aparados Serra da Serra National Park are extremely low, ranging from 6 m/million years on the plateau and up to 50 m/million years in the escarpment. ==Flora and fauna==

Despite its relatively small size, the park is characterised by a rich biodiversity, as result of its diverse relief and of being situated at the contact between coastal forests, grasslands and Araucaria moist forests. Endangered fauna on the plateaus of the park include the red-spectacled amazon parrot, the maned wolf, and the cougar. On the slopes, the neotropical otter, ocelot and the brown howling monkey can be found. ==Conservation and threats==

When created in 1959, the national park protected an area of 13,000 ha. This was reduced to 10,250 ha in 1972 through a presidential decree. In 1992 adjoining the national park, the new Serra Geral National Park was created, encompassing an additional 17,300 ha. However, according to the Duke University's Center for Tropical Conservation, the current park area, even after the extension with Serra Geral National Park, is still too small to be effective for the protection of representative samples of each distinct environment. Currently a maximum of 1,500 visitors per day are allowed in the park. ==References==