Loss of biodiversity in Argentina: causes and consequences

Possibly you have repeatedly heard the term loss of biodiversity But do you really know what this concept entails? The loss of biodiversity occurs when populations of native species of a region, in this particular case we talk about Argentina, are drastically reduced by anthropogenic causes, that is, related to the development of human activities. As a result, species suffer a high risk of extinction And, if the situation is not reversed, they are extinguished.

For more information about what biodiversity is and what is loss of biodiversity, its causes and consequences, we recommend these other summaries.

As we mentioned in the previous section, the loss of biodiversity is related to the development of human activities. Therefore, we tell you here What are the main causes of the loss of biodiversity in Argentina.

Habitat destruction and degradation

The destruction and degradation of the habitat originates mostly due to the advance of the agricultural-livestock border and urban growth. Both purposes have something in common: the deforestation and disassembly of ecosystems.

Undoubtedly, habitat destruction and degradation is main cause of loss of biodiversity in Argentina. We must not forget that a large part of the country’s economic activity comes from agriculture and livestock and, with the desire to increase its productivity, many pristine ecosystems are transformed into monoculture fields.

To better understand the relationship between deforestation and loss of biodiversity in Argentina, we recommend you read this other article about deforestation in Argentina: causes and consequences.

Introduction of exotic species

There is a long record of species that have been introduced in ecosystems distant from its original distribution. Despite this, today it is known that this practice brings more negative consequences than benefits, particularly for native biodiversity. Among its effects we can mention: competition with native species, transmission of diseases and pests to native species and deep changes in the functioning of ecosystems.

Learn more about the introduction of exotic species: causes and consequences with this summary.

Poaching and illegal traffic of species

This cause is curious because we often associate poaching and illegal trafficking of species only with vertebrate animals. However, many populations of invertebrate animal species and plants are also severely diminished by the illegal traffic of their specimens. But here there is something we can do to reverse the situation: if as a society we stop buying wild and exotic plants and animals, illegal trafficking will cease to exist!

Here you can inform yourself more about the causes and consequences of animal poaching and how to avoid illegal animal trafficking.

Environmental pollution

It is of extensive knowledge that our daily activities produce multiple polluting products, such as plastics, chemical waste of industries or others, which culminate mainly in the atmosphere, the soil and also in the bodies of water such as rivers and oceans. In the latter case, consequently, aquatic biodiversity is increasingly exposed to particles that contaminate them directly and indirectly. For example, these animals often confuse these contaminants with food and by ingesting them may suffer different degrees of consequences, even cause death.

For more information we advise you to read these other posts about what is environmental pollution and the causes and consequences of water pollution.

Climate change

Climate change implies a sharp and fast modification of climatic variations. Given this, the functioning of ecosystems also changes dramatically and those species that fail to adapt, end up extinguishing.

In this link you will know more about the effects of climate change.

If we wanted to know specifically Where there is loss of biodiversity in Argentina It would be difficult to decipher, since it is an extremely extensive country. However, there are some regions that due to their characteristics are more exploited than others. Let’s see two Examples of regions of Argentina with loss of biodiversity.

Examples of loss of biodiversity in the Chaco region

Particularly the Chaco region, today is the Argentine region that presents the greatest loss of biodiversity. Its ecosystems are extremely degraded, mainly due to the progress of the agricultural border and, as a result, biodiversity suffers a high risk of extinction. Such is the case of yaguareté or jaguar (Panthera onca) and the Hormiguero (Myrmecophaga Tridactyla)whose populations are diminished not only by the loss of habitat itself, but also because its exposure to hunters and possible run -over over routes and roads increases.

Examples of loss of biodiversity in the Pampas region

Another example is the Pampas region, which has always been used for agriculture and, in the past, its natural grasslands were razed, almost entirely, to convert ecosystems into cultivation fields. As a balance, the agriculturization of the Pampa, added to the indiscriminate hunting of its specimens, led to the regional extinction of the regional extinction of the Pampas deer (Bezoarticus Ozoceros).

After knowing what are the reasons for the loss of biodiversity in Argentina and some examples, it is commented on the consequences of this problem. As if the problem itself, the Consequences of the loss of biodiversity in Argentina They go beyond species extinction.

Let’s deepen a little more: when a species extinguishes, with it Ecological relationships are lost that it has with other species. This fact causes alterations in the functioning of ecosystems that sooner or later are reflected in the ecosystem goods and services of which we use.

For example, what would happen if species that pollinate a crop used as food are extinguished? This crop would not continue to grow, at least not naturally and in extension, so we would lose this food and generate problems to supply and feed the population and economic losses, as would lose all the species that feed on said vegetable (PJ birds, rodents, insects …). Therefore, the species that depend on this crop as food would suffer reduction of their populations due to hunger and competition for food, so they could become extinct. So on in the trophic chain and in the trophic network.

If you got here you will know that the native species of this country are extremely vulnerable to extinction, therefore the Biodiversity protection in Argentina. Stay reading this section in which we will tell you two key points in the Biodiversity conservation in Argentina.

• First, Argentina has a long career in the creation of protected areas and was even the first country in Latin America to do so. Protected areas are aimed at retaining relics of ecosystems that have not been disturbed by human activity and, ultimately, form a refuge for local biodiversity. However, only 5% of the territory is under the category of protected area.
• Secondly, there are non -governmental organizations dedicated to the reintroduction of species that are in danger of extinction. Thanks to their work, they have managed to reintroduce, in protected areas, Yaguareté, Hormiguero, Condor, among others, thus contributing to the growth of their populations.

If you want to read more articles similar to Loss of biodiversity in Argentina: causes and consequenceswe recommend that you enter our biodiversity category.