Environment of Argentina

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Eriopis connexa is found in Argentina

The Environment of Argentina is characterised by high biodiversity.

Biodiversity

Subtropical plants dominate the Gran Chaco in the north, with the

Brazilian rosewood and the quebracho tree; also predominant are the wacho white and black algarrobo trees (Prosopis alba and Prosopis nigra). Savannah-like areas exist in the drier regions nearer the Andes. Aquatic plants thrive in the wetlands of Argentina. In central Argentina the humid pampas are a true tallgrass prairie ecosystem.[1]

The original pampa had virtually no trees; some imported species like the

mollisols, known commonly as humus. This makes the region one of the most agriculturally productive on Earth; however, this is also responsible for decimating much of the original ecosystem, to make way for commercial agriculture. The western pampas receive less rainfall, this dry pampa is a plain of short grasses or steppe.[1]

Most of

copihue and colihue.[2]

In Cuyo, semiarid thorny bushes and other xerophile plants abound. Along the many rivers grasses and trees grow in significant numbers. The area presents optimal conditions for the large scale growth of grape vines. In northwest Argentina there are many species of cactus. No vegetation grows in the highest elevations (above 4,000 m (13,000 ft)) because of the extreme altitude.

A puma (Northwest) and a coati (Mesopotamic Region).

Many species live in the subtropical north. Prominent animals include big cats like the jaguar and puma; primates (howler monkey); large reptiles (crocodiles), the Argentine black and white tegu and a species of caiman. Other animals include the tapir, peccary, capybara, bush dog, and various species of turtle and tortoise. There are a wide variety of birds, notably hummingbirds, flamingos, toucans, and swallows.

The central grasslands are populated by the giant anteater, armadillo, pampas cat, maned wolf, mara, cavias, and the rhea (ñandú), a large flightless bird. Hawks, falcons, herons, and tinamous (perdiz, Argentine "false partridges") inhabit the region. There are also pampas deer and pampas foxes. Some of these species extend into Patagonia.

The western mountains are home to animals including the

vicuña which are among the most recognizable species of South America. Also in this region are the fox, viscacha, Andean mountain cat, kodkod, and the largest flying bird in the New World, the Andean condor
.

Southern Argentina is home to the

fur seals, sea lions and species of penguin. The far south is populated by cormorants
.

Patagonia
).

The territorial waters of Argentina have abundant ocean life; mammals such as dolphins,

yarará. The hornero was elected the national bird after a survey in 1928.[3]

Insects, like Eriopis connexa are found throughout the country.[4]

Environmental issues

The largest oil spill in fresh water was caused by a

Shell Petroleum tanker in the Río de la Plata, off Magdalena, on January 15, 1999, polluting the environment, drinking water, and local wildlife.[5]

Argentina had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 7.21/10, ranking it 47th globally out of 172 countries.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Semi-arid Pampas". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Animals in Argentina". Adventure-tours-south.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  3. ^ "Info about Hornero" (in Spanish). Redargentina.com. September 24, 2007. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  4. ^ "Eriopis connexa - Coccinellidae de Argentina". coccinellidae.cl (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Magdalena oil spill". Petroleomagdalena.com. January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  6. PMC 7723057
    .
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