World Heritage Identification Number: 1611
World Heritage since: 2024
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇧🇷 Brazil
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Unveiling the Stunning Beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, nestled in the northeastern corner of Brazil, offers a breathtaking spectacle that defies imagination. This expansive protected area, spanning over 155,000 hectares, lies along the eastern coast of Maranhão, where the diverse Brazilian biomes of Cerrado, Caatinga, and Amazon converge.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The property is located in northeastern Brazil, on the east coast of Maranhão, in a transition zone between three Brazilian biomes: Cerrado, Caatinga and Amazon. More than half of its area consists of a white coastal dune field with temporary and permanent lagoons. Beyond its important role in biodiversity conservation, the park boasts globally significant aesthetic and geological/geomorphological values. Along an 80 km coastline, with beaches followed by plains, the prevailing winds shape the dunes into long chains of barchans, filled in the rainy season to create lagoons of various colours, shapes, sizes and depths. The property reveals its best scenery when the lagoons reach their maximum volume, creating rare beauty. The vast expanse of both stable and shifting dunes, the largest in South America, presents remarkable evidence of the evolutionary progression of coastal dunes throughout the Quaternary period.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (vii): The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is part of an incomparable landscape. It is formed by successive dune chains interspersed with temporary and perennial lagoons. Along the park’s 80 km of coastline, there is a beach between 600m and 2km. The sand deposited by tides on the beach is gradually eroded by the wind, shaping small barchans with heights ranging from 50 cm to one metre near the shoreline, reaching heights of up to 30 m as they migrate inland, downwind and atop dunes from previous generations. The barchan dunes form winding chains up to 75 km long and move over 20 km inland. During the rainy season, temporary lakes form between the dunes, only to vanish in the dry season, leading to a constant transformation of the landscape. With dune mobility at migration rates ranging from 4 to 25 meters per year, these lakes reemerge in new locations with altered shapes in the subsequent rainy season. The lakebeds are coated with a layer of brown or green algae and cyanobacteria, contributing to the ever-changing scenery and variety of shapes and colours, composing a landscape of unique beauty rarely found anywhere else in the world.
Criterion (viii): The sediments in the Barreirinhas Basin are subject to aeolian processes forming a field of fixed and mobile dunes, considered the largest in South America. This process is considered one of the best and largest examples of the development of coastal dunes along the Quaternary, and the only site worldwide with such extensive development of dynamic dunes and lagoons. The dunes form long chains of barchans arranged in the same direction and increasing in size as they advance inland. Temporary ponds are formed by the rise of the water table during the rainy season. The property stands out within the complex interplay of climatic, oceanographic, and geomorphological elements along the Brazilian coast, featuring unique dune and lagoon formations fed exclusively by rainwater. These features, shaped by coastal dynamics and various environmental interactions, serve as remarkable evidence of the evolutionary progression of coastal dunes over millennia, including insights into pre-vegetation fluvial landscapes, serving as a present-day analogue for understanding past fluvial processes. The geomorphological processes create pristine and nascent habitats for a diverse and specialised and pioneer flora and fauna.
Encyclopedia Record: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a national park in Maranhão state in northeastern Brazil, just east of the Baía de São José. Protected on June 2, 1981, the 155,000 ha (380,000-acre) park includes 70 km (43 mi) of coastline, and an interior composed of rolling sand dunes. During the rainy season, the valleys among the dunes fill with freshwater lagoons, prevented from draining by the impermeable rock beneath. The park is home to a range of species, including four listed as endangered, and has become a popular destination for ecotourists.Additional Site Details
Area: 156,562 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(viii) — Outstanding example representing major earth stages
Coordinates: -2.5366666667 , -43.0636111111
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Lençóis Maranhenses National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
Image
© Julius Dadalti, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Analysis of the Bathing Suitability of Lagoons in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Lagoons in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park exhibit excellent water quality, posing no health risks to visitors. A study analyzed bathing suitability using microbiological and physical-chemical assessments, following CONAMA resolution No. 274/00 standards. The research, conducted by Santos and Novaes (2025), found that the lagoons—Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita—met safety criteria for swimming and water sports on most sampled days. While the findings confirm current suitability, the authors highlight the need for further studies to evaluate other potential environmental factors affecting bathing conditions. This work provides critical data for ICMBio, aiding conservation efforts in this UNESCO-listed site.
Santos, M. P., & Novaes, É. K. M. D. R. (2025). Analysis of the Bathing Suitability of Lagoons in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Revista de Gestão Social E Ambiental, 19(3), e011650. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v19n3-138
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Floristic study of the Bromeliaceae in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, MA, Brazil
A comprehensive floristic study of the Bromeliaceae family within Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil, identified four distinct species across three genera: Aechmea, Ananas, and Bromelia. This research contributes critical taxonomic data to the understanding of bromeliad diversity in the park's unique ecosystems, which include mangrove, cerrado, and restinga vegetation. Fieldwork conducted in Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro municipalities revealed species adapted to the park's sand dune landscapes, with detailed descriptions, identification keys, photographs, and ecological insights provided for each. The study highlights the importance of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park as a biodiversity hotspot, particularly for bromeliads, while emphasizing the need for further research on their geographic distribution and conservation status.
Guarçoni, E. A. E., & Salazar-Ferreira, M. (2025). Floristic study of the Bromeliaceae in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, MA, Brazil. Hoehnea, 52. https://doi.org/10.1590/2236-8906e422023
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Tracking Microplastics in Paradise: First Evidence of Pollution in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Maranhão, Brazil), a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Microplastic pollution, previously undocumented in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (LMNP) has been detected for the first time. The study identified significant variability in microplastic (MP) size, color, and polymer types, including rare materials like poly(ether–ether–ketone) (PEEK). Analysis revealed strong anthropogenic influences on MP distribution, particularly near urban areas and tourism hotspots, with Area 2 adjacent to the park emerging as a key source. Spectral analysis and dispersion modeling based on ocean currents and wind patterns confirmed transport connections between Areas 1 (inside LMNP) and 2, providing critical insights into pollution pathways. These findings establish a baseline for MP pollution in this vulnerable ecosystem and underscore the need for targeted conservation and waste management strategies.
Carvalho, É. P. B., Soares, W. R., Brito, R. R. d., Nunes, B. B. d. S., Rodrigues, A. S. d. L., Guimarães, A., Jacobucci, G. B., Matos, L. P. d., Guimarães, A. T. B., Gomes, A. R., Barbosa, N. D., Fonseca, E. M., Luz, T. M. d., & Malafaia, G. (2025). Tracking Microplastics in Paradise: First Evidence of Pollution in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Maranhão, Brazil), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ACS ES&T Water, 5(6), 3176–3190. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.5c00051
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The influence of socioeconomic factors on the knowledge of reptiles and mammals in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Northeast Brazil
A study on Lençóis Maranhenses National Park reveals that locality is the sole socioeconomic factor significantly influencing local knowledge of reptiles and mammals. The research, conducted through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, documented 36 species (including 53% non-avian reptiles and 47% mammals) across 10 orders, highlighting dietary, medicinal, and conflict-related interactions between residents and fauna. Despite analyzing variables like age, sex, education, and locality, only locality proved significant in shaping traditional faunal knowledge, underscoring the importance of geographic context in ecological understanding.
dos Santos, P. V. C., Ferreira, F. S., & Brito, S. V. (2025). The influence of socioeconomic factors on the knowledge of reptiles and mammals in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Northeast Brazil. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00780-6
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Featuring the ovarian morphological of Cichla kelberi Kullander & Ferreira, 2006 introduced in a Basin adjacent to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Northeastern Brazil
Research on the peacock bass (Cichla kelberi) in a basin adjacent to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil, reveals distinct ovarian morphological characteristics compared to other regions. The study identified various stages of female germ cell development, including primordial follicles and atretic follicles, with size variations ranging from 16.7 µm to 453.5 µm in diameter. Unlike findings from other reservoirs in Maranhão State or Brazil, this species appears to be adapting to the lotic environment of Preguiças River. The study highlights the need for further research to understand long-term reproductive and ecological impacts, supporting sustainable management of the basin.
Mendes, D. C. S., Noleto, K. S., Carvalho, I. F. S., Andrade, J. M., Carvalho-Neta, A. V., Torres-Júnior, J. R. S., & Costa-Junior, L. M. (2025). Featuring the ovarian morphological of Cichla kelberi Kullander & Ferreira, 2006 introduced in a Basin adjacent to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Northeastern Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 85. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.291248
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An efficient low-cost method for sampling floral visitors on down-facing flowers
A novel, low-cost method for sampling floral visitors in down-facing flowers has been successfully developed and tested. The Entomological Rod method, utilizing a light stem with a 50 ml Falcon tube attached, enables direct capture of insects without the need for pruning or sudden movements. This approach was applied to Clusia grandiflora (Clusiaceae) in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil, demonstrating its efficiency and ease of use in accessing difficult-to-reach flowers. The method offers a practical solution for studying pollinator interactions with pendent flowers, which are known for their protective mechanisms against resource loss.
De Andrade, H. C., Santos David-Silva, M. E., Barros Muniz, D., & Marinho, L. C. (2025). Um método eficiente e de baixo custo para amostragem devisitantes florais em flores voltadas para baixo. Boletim Do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi - Ciências Naturais, 20(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.46357/bcnaturais.v20i3.1077
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Seasonal dynamics of sand flies in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: a tourist destination and endemic area for leishmaniasis
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (LMNP) in Northeast Brazil, a popular tourist destination, is also an endemic area for leishmaniasis due to the presence of sand fly species that serve as vectors for Leishmania. A seven-year study revealed that Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani were the most abundant sand fly species, with their populations peaking from April to June. These patterns were influenced by environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and wind speed, which showed a significant correlation with sand fly abundance. Notably, tourist visits to LMNP coincide with high sand fly activity during the rainy months (May-June) and the start of the rainy season (January-February), but no cases of infected tourists have been recorded, likely due to daytime visitation when sand flies are inactive. However, there is a potential risk if tourists engage in nighttime cultural visits to nearby villages where leishmaniasis cases occur annually.
Rebêlo, J. M. M., Bandeira, M. d. C. A., Moraes, J. L. P., Boas, I. V., Fonteles, R. S., Dominici Cruz, L., & Rodrigues, B. L. (2024). Seasonal dynamics of sand flies in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: a tourist destination and endemic area for leishmaniasis. Journal of Medical Entomology, 61(4), 900–910. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjae067
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