Wetland classification and inventory in fluvial basins: the case of the Yaguarí creek, North-Eastern Argentina

Abstract

In preparation for the National Wetland Inventory, the Secretary for the Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina defined pilot cases for their characterization and suggested methodologies for their classification. The results obtained on the pilot site of A° Yaguarí fluvial basin, Corrientes, are synthesized and presented in this paper. It is considered a pilot site due to the increasing anthropic activities: rice cultivation/irrigation and cattle grazing over implanted pastures that impact the natural wetlands. The identification of the types of wetlands was accomplished through the analysis of background information, visual interpretation of satellite images, identification of wet hydrologic periods, and wetland identification by direct field observation and reconnaissance. All these aspects were integrated to define the wetland types using a simple,hierarchical and open classification system, to establish the areal extent of the wetlands, and characterize their distinctive features at field scale. The elements of the selected hierarchical structure are: Ambient–Region-System-Unit Element. The ambient is continental, and the region belongs to Chaco-Mesopotamic Fluvial Corridor. Anthropogenic systems (units: ponds, rice fields, irrigation water reservoirs), and fluvial systems (units: floodplains, minor tributaries headwaters) are identified. The elements that can be found are: riparian forests, marshes behind river banks, ditches, paleo-channels, springs and riverbeds. The developed methodology can be replicated in similar basins using these tools for the inventory, evaluation and management of Argentinean wetlands.