BIOMES OF ARGENTINA AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The biomes of Argentina correspond to the entire set of ecosystems that extend through that country, which are quite diverse. Argentina has a wide territory that extends elongated from north to south for 2,780,400 km², in the southern cone of South America.

Due to this geographical characteristic, it presents tropical, subtropical, temperate and humid cold climates. In addition, the country has a relief that ranges from sea level to 6,960.8 meters above sea level on the Aconcagua peak located in the Andes mountain range.

Biomes of Argentina. Source: Map by Gustavo Girardelli, derivative work by RoRo. Information taken from Ribichich, AM. 2002 who cites: Cabrera (1951, 1953, 1958, 1971, 1976, 1994), Cabrera and Willink (1973, 1980).

The territory is characterized by presenting a mountainous relief to the west and flat to the east. It includes the Patagonian plateau and the largest depression on the continent, the Laguna del Carbón at 115 m below sea level.

All this determines an important diversity of up to 115 ecosystem complexes grouped in 15 ecoregions. Other authors speak of 50 vegetation units grouped in 11 phytogeographic provinces.

If we restrict this diversity to the large biomes represented in this country, we find around 8 terrestrial and at least 2 marine. Among these we have the subtropical forests, temperate forests, thorn scrub, savannas, prairies (pampas and steppes), hot desert, puna (cold desert) and wetlands.

While in the Argentine marine areas at least two biomes are identified, corresponding to the subtropical region and the subantarctic region.

Among the subtropical forests are the yunga and the Paraná jungle, while in the temperate climates there is the Patagonian forest. The scrub biome is in the Chaco and the thorns in the mountains of the mountains and plains.

The grasslands include the pampas and the Patagonian steppe while the savannas are mostly in the Chaco. Likewise, there are wetlands in the Iberá estuaries and in the Paraná delta.

Tropical and subtropical rainforest biome

- The yunga

Yunga in Argentina. Source: Gonza Martínez27

They extend on the eastern slopes of the Sub-Andean and Pampean Sierras to the northwest, between 400 and 3,000 meters above sea level. Rainfall reaches from 600 to 3,000 mm per year, the formation of orographic clouds being characteristic.

In the yunga there are different types of jungle depending on the altitude. In the lower part there are premontane semi-deciduous rain forests, while in the higher parts there are always green rain forests or cloudy forests.

The yunga jungles have a high biological diversity, with tree species such as the southern walnut (Juglans australis) which is timber. As well as the tucuman laurel (Ocotea porphyria) and the capulí (Eugenia uniflora), the latter a fruit tree. Similarly, South American coniferous species such as Podocarpus parlatorei are present.

- Paraná jungle

This jungle is very varied and is located in the northeast of the country, in the region called Mesopotamia. It includes various ecosystems, including semi-deciduous rainforest, bamboo-sea forests, and riparian forests.

Here there are more than 3,000 species of vascular plants and the lauraceae of the Ocotea and Nectandra genera abound. In addition, there are palms of the genus Euterpe and timber anacardiaceae such as urunday (Astronium balansae).

There are also mixed forest formations where species of southern conifers of the Araucariaceae family appear. On the other hand, in riparian forests there are legumes adapted to high humidity, such as white timbo (Albizia inundata) and red ingá (Inga uraguensis).

- Dry forest of the Chaco

They are found in the north-center of the Argentine territory in the Chaco phytogeographic province. It includes a variety of dry forests characterized by different dominant species such as Schinopsis marginata and Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco.

- Spinal

These are dry forests dominated by species armed with thorns, especially legumes of the genera Prosopis and Acacia. These plant formations extend in an arc from the northeast to the center of the national territory.

- Fauna

In the different types of forests the fauna is abundant and diverse. Here are found the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), the puma (Felis concolor) and the jaguar (Panthera onca). In the yunga, the presence of the frontin or spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) stands out.

Temperate forest biome

At the southern end of Argentina are deciduous forests and temperate rain forests (Andean-Patagonian Forests). In these formations, species of the genera Nothofagus, Austrocedrus, Fitzroya, among others, predominate. Large areas of peatlands are found in this region.

- The Valdivian jungle

Valdivian jungle. Source: Albh

The temperate rainforest or Valdivian jungle, develops near 600 meters above sea level, with an approximate annual rainfall of 4,000 mm. It has trees up to 40 m high and several strata with abundant climbing.

Fauna

Species such as the mountain monkey (Dromiciops gliroides) and the güiña or red cat (Leopardus guigna) are found here.

Scrub biome

The scrub consists of low trees and medium to tall shrubs and is found in various regions of Argentina. In these areas there are animal species such as the maned maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus).

Chaco

Carpincho Lagoon (Chaco, Argentina). Source: Pertile

There are various scrub formations whose species vary according to altitude and geographical location. In the Chaco serrano there are bushes with Acacia caven (legume) and Eupatorium buniifolium (compound). While at higher altitudes there are bushes dominated by small Polylepis australis trees.

Thickets of halophytes (plants tolerant to high salinity) also occur in the plains. These formations include succulent plants such as those of the Allenrolfea and Atriplex genera.

Mountains

Here there are abundant thickets of 1.5 to 3 m in height, of spiny species, dominated by zygophylaceae and cacti. It has a continuous woody layer of 2 to 2.5 m with species such as Geoffroea decorticans and Prosopis flexuosa.

Savannah biome

In the subtropical zones to the north, both open and wooded savannas develop; even savannas with palms like Copernicia alba. The dominant element is the cover of grasses with species such as Sorghastrum setosum, Andropogon lateralis and Paspalum notatum.

To the northeast in Mesopotamia, Aristida jubata savannas develop with small Acacia trees and palm trees.

Grassland biome

The meadows are vegetative formations dominated by grasses with a temperate and cold climate. The Argentine grasslands are the pampas in the center-east and the Patagonian steppes in the southern third of the country.

In the Andean mountainous areas, grass formations called mountain meadows also develop.

- Pampas

Pampas. Source: Alex Pereira

The dominant grass genera are Nassella, Piptochaetium, Andropogon, Paspalum, and Axonopus, and sedges, composites, and legumes are also abundant. There are wooded tall grass meadows on not very fertile soils, with the grass Aristida jubata.

Among the arboreal elements are species of Acacia, Astronium balansae, as well as palms such as Butia yatay. In drier environments, the Paspalum notatum grass predominates, together with Aristida sp. and Axonopus sp.

Fauna

Species such as the rhea (Rhea spp.), The pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) and the pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) inhabit the pampas.

- Patagonian steppe

Precipitation is scarce, varying from less than 200 mm per year to 600 mm or more. This determines that there are different types of steppes with more or less plant coverage.

The plants are adapted to drought and grazing, finding grasses of the genus Pappostipa. In addition, there are small shrubs such as Mulinum spinosum and gymnosperms such as Ephedra ochreata.

In soils rich in organic matter and with rainfall between 300 and 600 mm, there are steppes with greater coverage. Species such as Festuca pallescens and scattered shrubs inhabit here.

Fauna

There is the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer), the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and the puma (Felis concolor), among others.

- Mountain meadows

On the high plateaus and slopes of the Andes mountain range there are areas of prairies. Here grasses predominate, mainly of the Festuca and Poa genera, among others.

Warm desert biome

Between the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan there is an extensive area of ​​hot deserts such as the Lavalle desert and the San Juan desert.

The Ischigualasto or Valle de la Luna Provincial Park is an example of a hot desert in Argentina, the so-called San Juan desert. It is an arid region with the formation of sand dunes and rocky outcrops.

The vegetation is very scarce due to the high temperatures, the strong winds and the water deficit. In this region there are plants adapted to these difficult conditions such as the parrón or pichana de toro (Ephedra boelckei), endemic to the area.

Puna biome

It corresponds to plant formations in the high Andes, on plateaus and mountains between 3,400 and 4,400 meters above sea level. It presents vegetation adapted to the conditions of drought and low temperatures.

The coverage is variable according to precipitation (50-350 mm), but in general it is scarce. With grasses of isolated bunches (tillers), cushion plants and low shrubs.

Arbu

The most widespread formation is that of small shrubs (40-60 cm) of Fabiana densa and Baccharis boliviensis.

F

Guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) are characteristic of this biome.

Wetland biome

Aquatic birds such as the coscoroba or white goose (Coscoroba coscoroba) and the black-necked swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) abound in the wetlands. There is also the giant rodent called capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and the nutria or false nutria (Myocastor coypus).

Iberá Wetlands

Esteros del Iberá. Source: Evelyn Proimos

Towards the northeast of Argentina, in Mesopotamia, a set of plant formations of hygrophytes (plants adapted to high humidity) develops. These are the so-called Iberá estuaries, which are areas with permanent bodies of water where aquatic and marsh herbaceous plants grow.

Aquatic species such as Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia species inhabit sheets of water in lagoons and estuaries. While marshlands such as Cyperus giganteus and Typha latifolia grow on the banks saturated with water.

Paraná Delta

It is one of the largest deltas in the world, covering nearly 14,000 km2 and forming an important wetland system. In this region there are various biomes such as the jungle and the savannah, in addition to the wetland. In relation to the latter, there are partially flooded areas, as well as areas with a permanent sheet of water.

Among the species typical of these wetlands are marshlands such as the reed (Juncus spp.) And the grasshopper or cattail (Cortaderia Selloana). Likewise, there are floating aquatic species such as the camalot (Eichhornia crassipes) and the water cabbage (Pistia stratiotes).

Mar Chiquita bathed

This area is made up of the sweet river fluvial system and the Mar Chiquita lagoon located in the center-north of the Argentine territory. Marsh grasses such as Typha latifolia and Schoenoplectus americanus develop here.

On the other hand, in the saline outcrops with the water table at the surface level, there are halophilic shrubs (resistant to salinity). Among these, the species Atriplex argentina and Heterostachys ritteriana stand out.

Mallines

In Patagonia there are areas of land saturated with water called mallines, that is, the water table is superficial. This water saturation regime can be temporary or permanent, in some cases having high levels of salinity.

The species are adapted to these conditions and grow grasses Festuca scabriuscula and Poa pratensis, as well as the sedge Carex gayana.

Marine biomes

Argentine marine waters encompass areas of two biogeographic regions of the western Atlantic. To the north we find the Argentine marine province corresponding to the Subtropical region and to the south the Magallánica province, part of the Subantarctic region.

Argentine Province

It includes sandy bottoms to the north and restinga bottoms to the south where communities of large algae form. In this region, warm waters from the north alternate with cold waters from the south.

This means that from the biological point of view it is a heterogeneous biome, with subtropical and subantarctic species. Among the former we have, for example, the Percophis brasiliensis fish and among the latter the Acanthistius patachonicus fish.

While the two crustaceans with the highest economic value are shrimp (Artemisia longinaris) and prawn (Pleoticus muelleri).

Magellan province

Sea lions in Mar del Plata (Argentina). Source: CHUCAO

This biome is characterized by restinga bottoms and muddy bottoms at the mouth of the rivers. In this area there are very wide tides with strong ocean currents and intense westerly winds.

The consolidated beds of restinga allow the rooting of large algae of genera such as Durvillea, Lessonia and Macrocystis.

In these algae meadows there are organisms such as anemones (Corynactis carnea), limpets (Nacella mytilina), clams (Gaimardia trapecina), among others. Also endemic fish of this marine province such as Maynea puncta.

References

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2. Calow, P. (Ed.) (1998). The encyclopedia of ecology and environmental management.
3. Chebez, JC (2006). Guide of the natural reserves of Argentina. Central zone. Volume 5.
4. Oyarzabal, M., Clavijo, J., Oakley, L., Biganzoli, F., Tognetti, P., Barberis, I., Maturo, HM, Aragón, R., Campanello, PI, Prado, D., Oesterheld, M. and León, RJC (2018). Vegetation units of Argentina. Austral Ecology.
5. Purves, WK, Sadava, D., Orians, GH and Heller, HC (2001). Life. The science of biology.
6. World Wild Life (As seen on Oct 25, 2019). worldwildlife.org/biomes