Caxiuanã National Forest

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Caxiuanã National Forest (Floresta Nacional de Caxiuanã) is a protected area in Pará, Brazil. It covers about 300,000 hectares and is classified as IUCN Category VI, which means it’s a national forest that allows sustainable use of natural resources. It was established in 1961 and is managed by ICMBio, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation.

Geography and access
The forest sits on the west bank of Caxiuanã Bay, between the Xingu River and the Anapu River, southeast of Ilha do Marajó. It spans the towns of Portel and Melgaço, but has a very small population living inside it. Belém, the state capital, is about 400 kilometers away. The forest is only reachable by boat—typically by flying to Breves and taking about an 8-hour boat ride, or a longer 25-hour trip from Belém.

Why it matters
Caxiuanã is extremely biodiverse and relatively isolated. It is one of the oldest national forests in Amazônia Legal (the Brazilian Amazon region) and the second oldest in Brazil.

Research and facilities
Inside the forest is the Ferreira Penna Scientific Station, run by the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi and IBAMA. Opened in 1993, it covers about 330 square kilometers and hosts many international research projects, with laboratories and housing for scientists.

Climate and environment
The climate is hot and humid, with an average temperature around 26°C and about 2,272 mm of rain per year. There are two seasons: a dry season from June to December, and a wet season from January to May.

Vegetation and landscapes
Most of the area is terra firme forest, which does not flood and has trees averaging about 35 meters tall. The soil is oxisol, common in tropical rainforests. The forest also includes Amazon floodplain forests: várzea (white-water rivers) and igapó (blackwater), together making up about 12% of the area. There are some savanna-like patches and areas that were once orchards.

People and livelihoods
Historically, the Guaycuru people (Arucará and Aricuru) lived here. By 2003, about 29 families (roughly 206 people) were living in three small villages. They practice subsistence farming (mainly manioc flour), fishing, and hunting. Brazil nuts and açaí are also exported from the region.

Conservation and challenges
In 2014, hearings discussed allowing logging in parts of Caxiuanã as part of a nationwide push by the government, which sparked debate about protecting the forest. The forest remains important for science and conservation, supporting rich ecosystems while permitting careful use of resources.