The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) -- Argentina, Lagunas and Esteros del Iberá, 2002

Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS)

1. Date this sheet was completed/updated: August 2001

2. Country: Argentina

3. Name of wetland: Lagunas and Esteros del Iberá

4. Geographical coordinates:

28º 27' and 28º 36' South latitude
57º 05' and 57º 14' West longitude

5. Altitude: 65 metres above sea level

6. Area: 24,550 hectares

7. Overview:

The proposed site forms part of a larger system, the macro system of the Iberá, with an area of approximately 1,300,000 hectares. It is a plain of very little slope running northeast to southwest, whose catchment area is fed only be rainwater, which ranges between 1,200 and 1,500 mm per year. This large plain drains through the Río Corriente, which empties into the middle stretch of the Parana River. The Iberá macro system constitutes a complex association of lentic and lotic environments on large areas of interface. The most important wetlands are several lakes disposed along the longer axis of the basin. The lakes are joined to each other and with the marshes through various types of channels, in order finally to form a diffuse system of drainage in the headwaters of the Río Corriente.

Lagunas del Iberá, where the proposed site is located, has an area of 5,500 hectares and is one of the largest and most characteristic areas of the overall system. With a uniform average depth of about three metres, the transparency is almost always high with variations caused by aeolian activity and the seasonal development of plankton. The lake's shores are defined in large part by the development of a wide belt of floating water reeds (embalsados) on the perimeter formed by a floating substratum of organic plant detritus trapped by a mat of roots (histosol) and on which grow a wide range of amphibious plant species.

8. Wetland Type:

Marine/coastal:

Inland:

Human-made:

Please now rank these wetland types by listing them from the most to the least dominant:
Ranking 1. O, 2. Tp, 3. Ts, 4. M, 5. N

9. Ramsar Criteria:

Please specify the most significant criterion applicable to the site: ____1______

10. Map of site included? Please tick yes -or- no

11. Name and address of the compiler of this form:

Subdirección de Gestión Ambiental
Dirección de Recursos Naturales y Gestión Ambiental
Ministerio de Producción, Desarrollo, Empleo y Trabajo
Gobierno de la Provincia de Corrientes
9 de Julio Nº 1536 - 10º Piso
3400 Corrientes
Argentina

This information sheet is based on a draft prepared by Tomás Waller of the Fundación Reserva del Iberá that was revised by Guillermo Lingua of the Dirección de Recursos Ictícolas y Acuícolas of the Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable y Política Ambiental.

12. Justification of the criteria selected under point 9, on previous page:

Criterion 1. This type of wetland is found only in the province of Corrientes (Argentina) and in the neighbouring departments of southeastern Paraguay (Esteros de Ñeembucú). Both regions belong to the River Plate basin. Because of its trophic and hydrological dynamics, the Iberá (a dystrophic and asaprotrophic permanent system) cannot be classified as a tropical swamp, as most of those forming the River Plate basin (temporary or semi-permanent eutrophic) or the Chaco region.

Criterion 2. This wetland sustains a community of endangered or vulnerable species of wildlife and a substantial number of specimens of several of these species. Several species present at the proposed site are listed at either the national or international levels (IUCN) in several categories of threat. In some cases, they are protected by international treaties such as CITES. There are rare, vulnerable or threatened species, protected by treaties, such as CITES, with large populations at the site: broad-nosed caiman (yacaré overo) (Caiman latirostris), yacare caiman (yacaré negro) (C. yacare), yellow anaconda (anaconda amarilla or curiyú) (Eunectes notaeus), comb duck (pato crestudo) (Sarkidiornis melanotos), long-tailed otter (lobito de río) (Lontra longicaudis) and the marsh deer (ciervo de los pantanos) (Blastoceros dichotomus), among others.

Criterion 3. The Esteros del Iberá fulfil the characteristics of the five conditions established for this criterion, namely it is a site with high biological diversity, contains a large number of endemic species, has a representative portion of the habitats of the region and has characteristic elements of the biogeographic region.

Criterion 7. The Esteros del Iberá sustain a significant proportion of the indigenous subspecies, species or families of, stages of the biological cycle, interactions of species or populations representative of the benefits and values of the wetlands and contribute in this way to the world's biological diversity. Among the most significant species is the dorado (Salminus maxillosus).

13. General location:

The site is located in the province of Corrientes, 118 kilometres north-northeast of the city of Mercedes, the administrative centre of the department of the same name, with access from this city by highway 40. At the site, on Lagunas del Iberá, there is the town of Colonia Carlos Pellegrini with some 500 inhabitants, in the department of San Martín. At the proposed site, three provincial departments meet: Ituzaingó, Mercedes and San Martín. It is approximately 450 kilometres from the city of Corrientes, the provincial capital.

14. Physical features:

The Iberá macro system, where the proposed site is located, constitutes a functional macro unit of land, aquatic and interface environments, with approximately 13,000 square kilometres of area little altered by human activity. About 60 per cent of this area corresponds to wetland environments (7000 square kilometres) of which more than 90 per cent are marshes.

This group of wetlands constitutes a complex association of permanent lentic and lotic environments (or with a short period of emergence of land on the periphery) blurred into large areas of interface. Its geomorphologic formative elements are relatively few: lakes, streams, swamp, embalsados, marsh and some emergent sandy banks. The most important are lakes of various sizes and characteristics that are located along the major axis of the basin. These are interconnected with the marshes through canales and streams to flow finally towards the Río Corriente, the only drainage area of the system toward the Middle Parana. The proposed site includes the Lagunas del Iberá of 5500 hectares, one of the most characteristic of the system. It also includes the surrounding swamps and marshes that flow with no apparent pattern and become lost in the rest of the macro system.

The entire region corresponds to a vast plain with almost no slope (slightly greater than 1 per 1000) in a northeast-southwest pattern among which there is several low sandy hills (5 to 10 metres in elevation), whose orientation corresponds to the longer axis of the system (northeast-southwest). The basin has a base of fluvial sands corresponding to the Upper Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene (Castellanos, 1965).

There is considerable discussion about the origin and the morphogenesis of the Iberá depression, and that according to several authors this aspect should be treated from the point of view of the climate structure. During its genesis, shaping and fluvial deposition acted caused by changes or shifts in the bed of the Parana River, as well as semiarid periods that submitted the region to aeolian erosion and deflation, changing the configuration of valleys and hills. More recently, the depressions were occupied by water, evolving toward the current landscape.

The soil under the marshes and lakes is sandy. Except for lakes and channels, most of it is covered with large areas of marshes developed on floating organic soils (histosols), formed by semi-degraded plant material, roots and vegetation, locally called embalsados. The embalsados are usually those that define a semi-dynamic perimeter of the main lakes and channels (such as Lagunas del Iberá) and not necessarily the existence of solid ground, except in marginal sectors of the system.

The Iberá is supplied almost completely by rainwater, directly or through surface runoff and the water table, through a catchment area that may be more than 13,000 square kilometres. It has a regime of fluctuating gradual and seasonal water dynamics, with very slow circulation of water because of the low energy of the relief and the abundant areas thick with macrophytes.

The marshes have a system of diffuse runoff that functions on three different levels (surface, intermediate and deep), and the marginal swamps toward the lakes and channels, in an overall northeast-southwest sense, usually determine the orientation of the movement of the water to empty finally into the Middle Parana through the Río Corriente. The water balance is favourable to the permanence of water, favoured by autumn rains and low winter temperatures, which reduce the effect of evapotranspiration.

In general, the water in the lakes and in the Iberá is very little mineralized, with conductivity between 15 and 45 S cm-1, with an ionic classification by type of bicarbonate: calcium-sodium or sodium-calcium. The low blockage of flow and the high quantity of organic material lead to a fluctuating pH and often acidic with values that range between 5 and 7 units, even in the daily cycle. The tenure of dissolved oxygen is comparatively high, and transparency is usually high (75 per cent measured with the Secchi disk), limited occasionally by seasonal development of plankton or the stirring-up of the bottom by aeolian action.

The average depth of the lakes, canals and marshes ranges between 2 and 3 metres, with annual oscillations of approximately one metre. The deepest depths recorded, up to 4 metres, correspond to the deepest parts of certain channels and lakes. Lagunas del Iberá has an average depth of approximately 3 metres, with a completely flat bottom and very little micro relief. Topographically, it is located 65 metres above sea level.

The average annual temperature for the region is 21º C, while the average monthly temperatures range from 16º C in June/July to 27º C in January/February. The maximum highs have reached 44º C, while the minimum lows have been -2º C. The relative humidity is high, with minima in the summer of about 60 per cent and maxima in the winter above an average of 75 per cent.

Rainfall ranges between 1200 and 1500 mm annually, although these values can vary periodically, while annual average evapotranspiration is 1040 mm. There is no clear hydrological seasonality, however, there are strong rains primarily in spring and autumn.

15. Hydrological values:

Perhaps the greatest biophysical and hydrological value of the macro Iberá system, where this site is located, is the water dynamics in relation to the flow of nutrients. These marshes constitute a potential reserve of nutrients that are slowly and partially released for recycling. This is very important for a biotic system, which is found on sands that have been washed over a long period of time, because they act as a trap for nutrients, delaying their continuation.

In periods of medium to high water, the marshes are covered with a film of water of varying depth. Under these conditions, the salts liberated in the process of degradation of organic material and those from fires that occur in the embalsados are dissolved. Slowly, the water in the marshes runs off on the surface and underground towards its natural collectors, swelling the tributary lakes and streams. During periods of low water, the circulation is less important. The embalsados and other soils with a high content of organic material at the surface can remain uncovered, but they are more vulnerable to fire and oxidization of organic material. The Esteros del Iberá also act as sumps for surface runoff, a source of water storage and an evapotranspiration surface with special characteristics. They also soften the seasonal hydrometeorological fluctuations.

The biomass accumulated in embalsados acts as a valve for regulating the flow of water in the system, allowing or preventing, according to their level, their passage through the bottom (bottom drainage). This is an excellent system for stabilizing retro-supply. Another important aspect is the action of the system as water valve, which impedes the process of rapid erosion, essentially in the hills to the west of the macro system.

16. Ecological features:

Biogeographically, three flows with their special elements converge in the Iberá macro system: a Chaco current, from the northeast, a Paraná current, from the northeast and that from the Espinal Pampa, from the south. This influence is especially relevant in relation to the terrestrial components of the biota and not necessarily in function of the structure of the aquatic or amphibian communities.

The area next to Lagunas del Iberá has a noticeable influence of elements of the Espinal Pampa, which arrives from the south, is especially reflected in the arboreal flora, ñandubay (Prosopis ñandubay) and algarrobillo (P. algarrobilla), and terrestrial shrubs, (espinillos) (Acacia caven), as well as in some elements of terrestrial fauna associated with that flora, which, in some cases, is found here at the northern limit of its distribution in Corrientes, for example vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) and cardenal amarillo (Gubernatrix cristata).

The presence of coastal palm groves of palma blanca or caranday (Copernicia alba) or of lapacho (Tabebuia) in the wooded areas, among other species, shows also the marginal presence of Chaco elements in the terrestrial plant communities.

As for the wetland, the plant communities are very homogeneous throughout almost all the macro system, showing little zonal variation throughout the region. This determines that the communities of fauna associated with them are affected by physical factors such as distance and other geographical barriers.

Up to 81 species of fish have been recorded for all the system. In addition, there is an important bird life of some 200 species for the area of the proposed site, with species characteristic of the Chaco and a large abundance of Ardeidae, Ciconiidae and Rallidae.

Among the amphibians are the families Hilidae, Leptodactylidae and Pseudidae.

Among the mammals, there are large populations of marsh deer (Blastoceros dichotomus), river otter (Lontra longicaudis) and carpincho (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), while the reptile fauna is characterized by a large abundance of yacaré (Caiman yacare) and, in smaller numbers, Caiman latirostris.

Floristically, this wetland has communities of swamp, embalsado and open bodies of water, such as lakes and streams. The swamp is the pirizal (Cyperus giganteus), usually associated with specimens of Scirpus or Schhoenoplectus. In areas less subject to flooding and on higher ground, reed beds of Zizaniopsis bonariensis grow accompanied by Panicum grumosum, while in the small depressions are found achirales of Thalis spp. The bottoms of the depressions with pirizales are rich in partially decomposed organic sediments and where land emerges its soil is a variety of histosol.

The embalsados occupy an important area completely surrounding and with varying width the approximately 46 kilometres of perimeter of Lagunas del Iberá and the headwaters of Río Miriñay.

Physiologically, it is mostly another pirizal but floating, basically formed by Cyperus giganteum and Fuirena robusta, although there are also specimens of the genera Panicum, Talia and Zizanopsis making up several types of communities in the embalsado.

In the initial stages, Scirpus cubensis can dominate and, when ripe, it is much richer in species than the marshes, including Pteridophyta and even various arboreal elements (Croton, Ocotea and Sapium). The soil is another histosol characterized by its low specific weight, and its organic materials are poorly decomposed. These embalsados are the refuge and habitat for many vertebrates characteristic of the Iberá.

Lagunas del Iberá and the streams that flow out of there represent another important unit of landscape that covers approximately 5500 hectares. There, we find communities of submerged plants, located in the deep and clear water of the lakes in parts protected from the wind and on the bed of streams, especially in certain shady areas. In these places, dense submerged grasslands are formed with an occupation of up to 50 per cent of the bottom (Cabomba, Egeria and Utricularia). On these grasslands grow complex biotic communities that sustain a large part of the trophic networks of the system.

We also find communities of floating and emergent plants (Eichornia, Nymphaea, Nymphoides) usually growing in certain parts of the lakes and in bends in streams where the current is less active. Associations of Azolla, Lemma, Ricciocarpus and Salvinia usually grow in the depressions and shallow parts. However, these peripheral associations, more than 90 per cent of the lake is subject to the effects of the wind and the waves and, therefore, lacking abundant aquatic plants. The high self-generating capacity of the biotic component of this system is an important biological phenomenon.

17. Noteworthy flora:

There are species that depend on the wetlands, such as large submerged grasslands of Cabomba australis, Egeria naias and Utricularia foliosa, in addition to extensive strips along the shore of reeds (Schoenoplectus californicus). There are amphibious plants such as Panicum grumosum, Talia multiflora, Tipha spp. and Zizaniopsis spp., which form the characteristic embalsados at the site.

The bank of the marsh is accompanied by palm groves of areas of palma blanca or caranday (Copernicia alba) used locally as posts, for construction or for making ornamental objects. In the more developed embalsados of up to three metres in thickness, very special small wooded areas are formed 5-8 metres in height composed primarily of Croton urucurana, Ocotea acutifolia and Sapium haemastospermun, which represent a typical landscape of the Iberá ecosystem.

18. Noteworthy fauna:

Fauna that is dependent on this wetland

For all the macro system, some 80 species of fish have been recorded in 59 genera and 19 families. Among these are sedentary species such as Acestronhynchus jenynsis, Apistograma corumbae, Astyanax bimaculatus and A. fasciatus associated with the grasslands of submerged vegetation, the piranha (palometa) (Serrasalmus spp.) and the tararira (Hoplias malabaricus), which is one of the most conspicuous carnivores in the Lagunas del Iberá. The tararira is not exploited, and its presence in the lake limits the expansion of other species of greater commercial interest.

Amphibians: Frogs of the genera Hyla, Leptodactylus, Lysapsus, Physalaemus and Scinax are the most representatives (Hylidae, Leptodactylidae and Pseudidae). These dominate the wetland, and together with the invertebrates, for example crustaceans and gastropods, they are the basis of the food of many birds and reptiles in the lake. It is estimated that the diversity of amphibians at the site is no fewer than 20 species.

Reptiles: Yacaré overo (Caiman latirostris) and yacaré negro (Caiman yacare). Both species are abundant at the site being the highest predators in their communities. They are among the species most favoured by conservation of the area, showing clear recovery after years of threat from commercial hunting.

The curiyú or anaconda amarilla (Eunectes notaeus) together with the ñacanina or culebra acuática (Hidrodinastes gigas) represent the most important predator snakes at the site. The first of them was very heavily hunted commercially in the past and has found a refuge at the site. The diversity of reptiles in the area is estimated to be some 20 species.

The diversity of birds for the area of Laguna del Iberá has been estimated to be some 200 species. The piscivorous birds are the most favoured within the wetland. There are the following families: Ardeidae, Ciconidae and Rallidae. This site protects more than 80 per cent of the species of Ciconiiformes present in Argentina. In general, we find several species of birds cohabitating within or on the margins of the marshes: chaja (Chauna torquata), mbigua común (Phalacrocorax olivaceus), mbigua vibora (Anhinga), stork (Ciconia maguari), hocó colorado (Tigrisoma lineatum), garza mora (Ardea cocoi), garza blanca (Egretta alba), chiflón (Syrigma sibilatrix), garza bruja (Nycticorax), jote (Coragips atratus), carancho (Polyborus plancus), ypacaha (Aramides ypecaha), jacana (Jacana jacana) and the tero (Vanellus chilensis), among many others.

The mammals are well represented by the following species that have abundant populations in the marshes: carpincho (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), nutria común or coipo (Myocastor coipus), long-tailed otter (lobito de río or nutria verdadera) (Lontra longicaudis) and marsh deer (Blastoceros dichotomus).

Presence of endemic, rare or threatened species

There are also the broad-nosed caiman (C. latirostris), the marsh deer (B. dichotomus) and the long-tailed otter (L. longicaudis). These last two species, in general endangered, find at the proposed site one of their main refuges within the province and within Argentina. The population of marsh deer is estimated to be more than 150 specimens at the site.

Past or future economic importance

The following stand out: the caimans of the genus Caiman, the yellow anaconda (E. notaeus), the long-tailed otter (L. longicaudis) and the carpincho (H. hydrochaeris). They are of importance as a symbol for conservation and tourism. There are above all the marsh deer (B. dichotomus), the long-tailed otter (L. longicaudis), the carpincho (H. hydrochaeris), abundant Ciconiiforme birds and the caimans (Caiman spp.).

19. Social and cultural values:

Of importance are national and foreign tourists, open air recreation and youth who visit the site periodically as a complement to their environmental education or training, scientific research carried out by representatives of national universities, such as the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, private university institutions such as the Universidad del Salvador and foreign institutions from Brazil and Italy. With regard to water management, there are irrigation pumps for nearby rice fields, although rice production has decreased because of lower prices.

Agriculture: The most developed activities are related to the growing of rice and forestry. The activities mentioned do not change the nature of the wetlands, except the activity carried out in the rice fields and forested areas. Tourism is managed and reflects a high degree of training in environmental practices by the workers of each of the firms located in the area.

20. Land tenure/ownership of:

Both at the site and in the surrounding area, property is private and public, with the body of water being public property and the rest private property as reflected in the following figure.

Department of San Martin

Number Owner
664-1154 Zampedri, Saul (Trastorza Nº930 C. Cuatiá) 804 hectares
779-1183 Aldave de Fraga, Yolanda, 340 hectares
605-11372 Sniechowski, Roberto (Belgrano 456, Apóstoles, Misiones) 6 hectares
604-1128 Cano, Jacinta (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 340 hectares
595-1122 Sniechowski, Roberto (Belgrano 456, Apóstoles, Misiones) 27 hectares
598-1131 Monzon, Clemente (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 30 hectares
592-1129 Montenegro, Sinforoso (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 44 hectares
587-1129 Hernandez de Monzon, Mercedes (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 21 hectares
581-1130 Monzon, Clemente (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 16 hectares
577-1131 a Escalante, Aurea, 10 hectares
577-1131 b Escalante de Gomez, Angela, 5 hectares
572-1134 Sniechowski, Roberto (Belgrano 456, Apóstoles, Misiones) 7 hectares
564-1133 Aldave, Justina, 32 hectares
551-1130 Torrent, Victorio
592-1116 Zambon, C. and Sampedri, R. (Col. Libertad, Monte Caseros) 915 hectares
567-1100 Aldave, Alejandro (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 53 hectares
571-1102 Lovera, Alejandro (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 25 hectares
570-1113 Aldave, Ramon (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 25 hectares
572-1118 Hernandez de Monzon, Mercedes (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 25 hectares
574-1122 Alegre, Alejo (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 24 hectares
576-1127 Delgado, Marcelina and Diaz, Ma. (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 25 hectares
578-1127 Azcona, Geronimo (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 12 hectares
580-1126 Frete, Diego Guzman (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 12 hectares
569-1108 Aldave, Alejandro (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 40 hectares
566-1113 Aldave, Ramon (C. Carlos Pellegrini) 14 hectares
567-1125 Sniechowski, Roberto (Belgrano 456, Apóstoles, Misiones) 1.4 hectares
570-1129 Torrent de Vidal, Eloisa, 11 hectares

21. Current land use:

The land is mainly occupied by the development of agriculture-especially for growing rice-and extensive livestock raising. Very near the site is Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, whose growth is based on ecotourism. For the expansion of rice fields, in some cases water is taken from the wetland. Livestock is raised in the area, as well as forestry activities in areas farther away from the proposed site. There are no industrial activities or hunting and fishing in the area.

22. Factors (past, present or potential) adversely affecting the site's ecological character, including changes in land use and development projects:

Among the adverse factor are indiscriminate poaching and the pumping of water from the wetland for diversion to rice fields. Currently, poaching has been totally controlled, the pumping of water has decreased and pollution from agrochemicals has decreased along with a drop in the profitability of growing rice. There has been an increase in human presence as a result of tourism, but it should be pointed out that this activity has developed in an orderly fashion and with full awareness of the environment. Also to be mentioned is the introduction of exotic species in forest exploitations, especially Pinus taeda, as the result of implementation of a national policy to increase the importance of forestry. There is a need for regulation and monitoring of the evolution of the planted forest resources and their potential impact, as well as the use of agrochemicals and pumping of water if the price of rice increases.

Forestry exploitations should have the same treatment with monitoring of the impact caused by pesticides and transformation of the environment can have over all the wetland.

23. Conservation measures taken:

All the wetland is protected by a provincial regulation (Law 3771/83, Law 4736/93, Decree Law 18/00), which declares the area nature reserve. At the same time, conservation units have been created within the Iberá Nature Reserve, which were established by Decree 1577/94.

The most vulnerable species of wildlife fauna have been declared national monuments (Decree 1555), a reason to preserve species and their environment.

The fauna and flora are protected by Law 1863/54 and its Regulation 2249/55. Any new development project must be submitted for evaluation of the environmental impact, as a way of minimizing its potential impact (Law 5067/96). Another norm that protects the environment is Law 4731.

Land use is protected by Law 4438, as is water use, which is governed by the Water Code of the province of Corrientes (Law 3066).

Laws 4495 and 5300 regulate the use of agrochemical products. Currently, and as already mentioned earlier, studies are being carried out on the macro system by national and foreign universities.

The Ramsar directives for wise use of wetlands and the additional orientations are not being specifically applied, although an integral management plan for the macro system has been prepared in the province, although it is not fully implemented.

Out of the total area of the wetland, only 25,550 hectares would be included, for which, existing legislation is very useful. This would be strengthened by the inclusion as a Ramsar site in the list of wetlands of international importance. The local communities are highly motivated to participate in the management of the wetland.

24. Conservation measures proposed but not yet implemented:

A proposal has been presented for approval by the competent authorities and the legislature, to regulate tourism in the wetland. There is an officially approved management plan for the wetland, which is only partially implemented because of economic reasons.

25. Current scientific research and facilities:

There are installations available at the proposed site for research. As for scientific research under way, there are always representatives of national universities, such as the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, private institutions, such as the Universidad del Salvador and foreign institutions from Brazil and Italy.

26. Current conservation education:

A small environmental education programme is being developed, which is being carried out by an NGO located in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. The wetland has a high potential for the development of educational activities.

27. Current recreation and tourism:

Tourism at the site is not seasonal but occurs year round. Tourism began to expand in 1995, and hotel infrastructure is being created in line with requirements of national and international tourism. Currently, there are 80 beds in first class hotels, 32 beds in inns, 30 beds in guesthouses and a camping that can accommodate up to 100 persons. The affluence of tourists is stable in approximately 7500 persons per year.

28. Jurisdiction:

The territorial jurisdiction under which the wetland is placed is provincial (province of Corrientes) and includes the departments of Ituzaingó, Mercedes and San Martín. The main town is in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini in the department of San Martín.

The administrative jurisdiction for the environment is the Ministerio de Producción, Desarrollo, Empleo y Trabajo; Dirección de Recursos Naturales y Gestión Ambiental; Subdirección de Parques y Reservas. There is a land tenure system of mixed land, divided between private property and public land.

29. Management authority:

Dirección de Recursos Naturales y Gestión Ambiental
Subdirección de Parques y Reservas

30. References: [See Spanish original]

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 26 April 2002, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.