Abstract

ALZUGARAY, C.; DI LEO, N.  and  CARNEVALE, N. J.. Distribution of forested areas in the floodplain and islands of the Parana River and southern Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Quebracho (Santiago del Estero) [online]. 2016, vol.24, n.2, pp.81-82. ISSN 0328-0543.

As a result of the predominant production model, native forests in the province of Santa Fe have been seriously affected. Landsat images were used to determine the residual forested land area over 6.304.156,7 ha in the flood plain and islands of the Parana River, south of National Route 19, and georeferenced field census data were collected covering the existing tree communities. The following forest types were found: alder forests of Tessariaintegrifolia, willow forests of Salix humboldtiana, insular forests, mixed forests, tree savannas with predominance of Acacia caven, and shrub savannas. From the total land area, 361.195 ha are covered by forest communities that remain in different degrees of conservation, based on geomorphology and productive management. The distribution of these forests is not homogeneous. The occupied areas and the number of species decrease following a N-S gradient, in correspondence with population density, accessibility, and traditional agricultural activities. The scarce forest patches South of Route 19 resemble savanna woodlands with Acacia caven as the dominant species and with the presence of Parkinsonia aculeata, Sapium haematospermun, Schinus molle, as well as some exotic species such as Gleditsiatriacanthos, Acer negundoand Fraxinus sp. This information was used for mapping the land used of the native forests in the Province of Santa Fe, as stated by National Law 26.331 and Provincial Law 12.336.

Keywords : Floodplain; Fragmented forests; insular forests; Rio Paraná; Southern Santa Fe; Number of species.