Argentine Monte

The Argentine Monte is in north-central Argentina, and has an area of 354,192 square kilometres (136,800 sq mi).[1] It is to the east of the Andes and extends from Salta Province in the north to Chubut Province in the south.[2] It extends from the eastern foothills of the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean. The ecoregion merges into the Patagonian steppe in the south and southwest. The Dry Chaco lies to the northeast, and the Espinal is to the east.[1]

In the northwest it borders the High Monte. Some consider the High Monte a separate ecoregion,[1] while others consider it a part of the Argentine Monte.[3]

Elevations range from sea level on the Atlantic coast to 2,800 metres (9,200 ft).[2] The region contains parts of the watersheds of the Rio Negro and Rio Colorado.[4] The Lagunas de Guanacache, Desaguadero y del Bebedero in Mendoza Province form the most important wetland in the ecoregion, designated a Ramsar site.[2] This is a long chain of lagoons and marshes covering 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 sq mi) fed by the Mendoza and San Juan rivers, which drains into the Desaguadero River. The lakes and streams are mostly seasonal or intermittent.[5]

The ecoregion is by far the driest part of Argentina.[4] The Köppen climate classification is "BSk": arid, steppe, cold arid.[6] Annual precipitation is 80 to 250 millimetres (3.1 to 9.8 in).[2] In the north and central regions there is more rain in summer. In the colder south the monthly rainfall is more evenly distributed.[2] At a sample location at coordinates 38.25°S 67.25°W / -38.25; -67.25 the mean temperature ranges from 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) in July to 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) in January. The yearly average mean temperature is 15 °C (59 °F). Annual precipitation is about 175 millimetres (6.9 in). Monthly precipitation ranges from 5.4 millimetres (0.21 in) in July to 25.7 millimetres (1.01 in) in October.[6]

The Argentine Monte is in the Neotropical realm, in the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome.[4]

Fauna

Mara breastfeeding in the Sierra de las Quijadas National Park

Common mammals include screaming hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus), pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus), cougar (Puma concolor), South American gray fox (Lycalopex griseus), Patagonian weasel (Lyncodon patagonicus), guanaco (Lama guanicoe), and southern mountain cavy (Microcavia australis). Vulnerable or endangered mammals include plains viscacha rat (Tympanoctomys barrerae), pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus), strong tuco-tuco (Ctenomys validus), viscacha rat (Octomys mimax), Roig's pericote (Andalgalomys roigi), delicate salt flat mouse (Salinomys delicatus) and Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum).[2] Endangered mammals include southern river otter (Lontra provocax).[7]

Birds include elegant crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans), cinnamon warbling finch (Poospiza ornata), Darwin's nothura (Nothura darwinii) and burrowing parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus). Threatened birds are peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Chaco eagle (Buteogallus coronatus).[2] Endangered birds include yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) and Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis).[7] The Guanacache, Desaguadero y Bebedero system has rich biodiversity and supports more than 50 species of waterbirds.[5] These include maguari stork (Ciconia maguari), southern screamer (Chauna torquata), white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi), Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) and dabbling ducks of the genus Anas. It is also used by migratory birds such as plovers and sandpipers.[2]

Reptiles include Argentine red tegu (Tupinambis rufescens), false tomodon snake (Pseudotomodon trigonatus), Patagonian lancehead (Bothrops ammodytoides), boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), ringed hognose snake (Lystrophis semicinctus) and Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis). Amphibians include Mendoza four-eyed frog (Pleurodema nebulosum).[2] Endangered amphibians include La Rioja water frog (Telmatobius schreiteri) and Andalgala water frog (Telmatobius scrocchii).[7] In the northern region about 10% of insect genera and 35% of insect species are endemic.[2]

The World Wildlife Fund gives the ecoregion the status of "Vulnerable".[3] The region has mostly been settled by people only in oases or areas near rivers where irrigation-based agriculture is possible. This process began in the late 19th century and continues today. The habitat in the settled areas has been greatly changed, with trees cleared for use as fuel and lumber and to make way for agriculture and mineral exploitation. 580,000 square kilometres (220,000 sq mi) of the ecoregion has been affected by erosion caused by deforestation and excessive grazing by sheep, goats and cattle. There is marked increase in desert areas, affecting the habitats of many native species. Many species are affected by fragmentation of their habitats.[2]

The Guanacache, Desaguadero y Bebedero system has been affected by various natural and man-made changes that have caused the area of lagoons and marshes to shrink significantly. Some efforts are being made to rehabilitate them.[5]

Los Cardones National Park

Rock wall in Sierra de las Quijadas National Park

5.37% of the ecoregion is in protected areas.[1] Protected areas in the Low Monte include:[2][1]

Protected areas in the High Monte include:[8]

• Monte Desert