Was produced the most comprehensive mapping of Argentine ecosystems carried out to date

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More than 50 specialists from 25 national institutes and universities (researchers and technicians), involving 15 CONICET executing units distributed throughout the country, worked in a coordinated manner to describe and characterize 12 marine ecosystems, 66 continental aquatic ecosystems and 55 terrestrial ecosystems throughout Argentina.

Pampas lagoons in the north. Credits: Rodrigo Sinistro

This was a project requested by the Biodiversity Directorate of the Undersecretariat of Environment, in its capacity as Technical Secretariat of the National Advisory Commission for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity (CONADIBIO), within the framework of the preparation of the Seventh National Biodiversity Report and financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project also involved the signing of a Technical Assistance agreement between the Argentine Association of Ecology (AsAE) and CONICET and the participation of 15 implementing units of the Council distributed throughout the country.

Terrestrial ecosystems (left) and lotic continental aquatic ecosystems.

“The result is a reference document with information organized in fact sheet format for each ecosystem, as well as supplementary material (spreadsheets with geographic and environmental data and a GIS geographic information system). We believe that the product obtained represents a significant advance for the knowledge and management of Argentine ecosystems,” said Paulina Martinetto, one of the coordinators of the work and a CONICET researcher at the Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (IIMyC, CONICET – UNMDP).

The Geographic Information System (GIS) “is a digital tool that links maps with data, that is, it integrates information for a specific geographic location. For example, in this work, the geographic information system allows us to have mapped information for each ecosystem, including environmental variables, protected areas, and the corresponding geographic information,” explained the CONICET scientist.

Mapping and characterization of Argentine ecosystems
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Beyond the separation into the three types of ecosystems, the classification and description were internally as homogeneous as possible, and in the format of a fact sheet for each ecosystem. “Each fact sheet includes geographical characteristics (total area, geographical location and altitude or depth), environmental characteristics (temperature and precipitation for terrestrial and continental aquatic ecosystems; sea surface temperature and satellite chlorophyll for marine ecosystems), flora and fauna characteristics, conservation characteristics (areas with some degree of protection) and human use and appropriation characteristics (threats and ecosystem services),” the report states.

North Patagonian gulfs. Credits: Martín Brogger

Currently, this work constitutes the most complete and comprehensive mapping and characterization of Argentina’s ecosystems available. Similar initiatives have focused primarily on terrestrial ecosystems. All the material produced was designed for use by managers and fulfills the request made by CONADIBIO.

Antarctic of the Southwest Atlantic and adjacent islands. Credits: Germán García

Twelve marine ecosystems, covering 100 percent of the national marine territory, were mapped and characterized using satellite data and other sources. For terrestrial ecosystems, the new maps were developed using recent literature, a digital elevation model, field knowledge, and expert photointerpretation. For inland aquatic ecosystems, the 66 ecosystems were established based on recent research and the expertise of project participants.

Buenos Aires and Pueyrredón Lakes Basin. Credits: Irina Izaguirre

The report, titled “Characterization and Mapping of Marine, Aquatic, Continental, and Terrestrial Ecosystems of Argentina,” details the main services provided by each ecosystem. For example, the Mar Chiquita lagoon, declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 1996, provides provisioning services such as artisanal fishing, as well as water and climate regulation, and cultural values related to education. The caldén forest ecosystem provides food for livestock, in addition to water regulation, erosion control, and supports functions such as soil formation.

Within marine ecosystems, the Magellanic shelf provides artisanal and industrial fishing, contributes to carbon sequestration and coastal erosion control, and offers cultural services such as recreation, ecotourism, scientific research, and education. Finally, inland aquatic ecosystems, such as the San Juan and Mendoza river basins, supply freshwater, hydroelectric power, and crops, play a role in water regulation, and generate opportunities for recreation and ecotourism.

“For the first time, Argentina has an integrated and standardized database of its ecosystems, built collaboratively by more than 50 specialists from across the country. This achievement provides a strategic tool for biodiversity conservation, land-use planning, and environmental impact assessment, while also serving an educational purpose by illustrating the diversity of ecosystems throughout the nation,” said Martinetto. nd concluded: “This project demonstrates the capacity of the Argentine scientific community to work together in the face of major challenges and highlights the fundamental role of scientific associations. In this case, the Argentine Association of Ecosystems (AsAE) played a key role by bringing together professionals from different disciplines and ecosystems, enriching the process and ensuring a high-quality product in record time.”

Citation
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The work Characteristics and maps of marine, continental and terrestrial ecosystems of Argentina. Final information from the consultancy requested by the Programa de las Naciones para el Desarrollo (PNUD), the Dirección de Biodiversidad (SSA-MTAyD) and CONADIBIO. Asociación Argentina de Ecología. 456 pages. MO, II, PM, LE, MLS and MV will contribute equally to the work, 2 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5657-4420 , 3 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5986-2674

Oyarzabal, M., I. Izaguirre1, P. Martinetto, L. Enrico1, ML Sánchez, M. Valiñas, E. Balseiro, O. Iribarne, M. Oesterheld, M. Acha, MR Aguiar, V. Alder, D. Alemany, L. Allende, F. Alvarez Dalinger, MR Aragón, I. Barberis, C. Bessa, F. Biganzoli, F. Botto, C. Brand, M. Cabido, S. Casco, D. Cataldo, A. Cuchietti, M. Devercelli, C. Feijoó, JL Fontana, M. Forastier, G. García, M. Gayol, MV Lencinas, EJ León, RE Lorenzón, V. Lozano, B. Modenutti, L. Moraña, D. Moreira, I. O´Farrell, MS Porcel, CS Ramos, P. Rivadeneira, S. Roig, VL Romero, M. Salusso, M. Saraceno, M. Saraceno, L. Scenna, MR Schiaffino, E. Verón, y P. Villagra. 2025. Characteristics and maps of marine, continental and terrestrial ecosystems of Argentina. Final information from the consultancy requested by the Programa de las Naciones para el Desarrollo (PNUD), the Dirección de Biodiversidad (SSA-MTAyD) and CONADIBIO. Asociación Argentina de Ecología. 456 pages. MO, II, PM, LE, MLS and MV will contribute equally to the work, 2 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5657-4420 , 3 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5986-2674

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