The Xitué Ecological Station (ESEC) is in the Serra de Paranapiacaba in the municipality of Ribeirão Grande in the southeast São Paulo state.

[3] It lies in the largest remnant of Atlantic Forest in the state, part of the Paranapiacaba ecological continuum.

[1] The Xitué Ecological Station was created by state decree 26.890 of 1987, with the objective of ensuring full protection of flora, fauna and natural beauty, as well as supporting educational, recreational and scientific purposes.

Since being created it has been the base for many research projects due to the good state of conservation of its forests.

[5] On 30 March 2016 the State Council for the Environment (Consema) approved the management plan for the ESEC, which defines zoning, allowed use and measures to protect and promote biodiversity by integrating the unit into the economic and social life of the neighboring communities.

On the Xitué trail the bamboo Guadua tagoara dominates, with more developed vegetation in the valleys of the small stream that drain the area.