Ibirapuitã Biological Reserve

For the Federally-administered environmental protection area, see Ibirapuitã Environmental Protection Area.

Ibirapuitã Biological Reserve (Portuguese: Reserva Biológica de Ibirapuitã) is a state-operated biological reserve in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Ibirapuitã Biological Reserve
Reserva Biológica de Ibirapuitã
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
Location in Brazil
Nearest city	Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul
Coordinates	29.925°S 55.782°W / -29.925; -55.782
Area	351 hectares (870 acres)
Designation	Biological reserve
Created	27 June 1982

Borges de Medeiros bridge above the Ibirapuitã River

History

The reserve was created by decree Nº 31.788 of 27 June 1982. It has an area of 351.42 hectares (868.4 acres) and lies in the municipality of Alegrete in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.^[1] The reserve lies in the pampas biome.^[2]

Status

As of 2009 the State Biological Reserve was a "strict nature reserve" under IUCN protected area category Ia.^[3] The reserve is in the west of the state on the banks of the lbirapuitã River. It is the only area of full protection to preserve the native grasslands and riparian forest that are home to the black howler (Alouatta caraya). The area is mostly covered by grass species, with a few espinilho (Vachellia caven) and aroeira-pretas (Myracrodruon urundeuva). Riparian vegetation includes angico-vermelho (Anadenanthera colubrina ), camboim (Myrciaria delicatula), embira (Daphnopsis) and espinheira-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia). A new rodent species has been found in the reserve, a tuco-tuco that forms underground galleries.^[1]