Mar Chiquita – Argentina

Book presentation "The Mar Chiquita Salt Lake"

Enrique H. Bucher (2019)

The Mar Chiquita Salt Lake (Córdoba, Argentina)

Ecology and Conservation of the Largest Salt Lake in South America

This book presents a systematization and integration of the knowledge accumulated to date on Mar Chiquita, covering a wide range of fields, including physical, biological, and historical aspects, and also environmental conservation and sustainable issues. The book is addressed to the specialists of the various fields covered, but is designed and written with the aim of making it accessible to the general public. Special attention has been given to the interconnection of the information provided in the different chapters, with an emphasis on dynamic and functional aspects. This publication results from the author work at the Mar Chiquita Biological Station in Miramar, Mar Chiquita, a research and environmental education unit created by the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.

Background Mar Chiquita

Mar Chiquita is Argentina''s biggest lake, and the world''s fifth largest steppe lake. The latter is only true, when the water level is high. In that case, Mar Chiquita covers an area of 5,770 sq. km, in periods of extended drought, the lake surface can drop to 1,960 sq. km. The salt content fluctuates from 25 to 290 g/l depending on the water level. These extreme conditions protected the lake from overpopulation and overuse. Two areas around the lake are under protection, the Reserva Natural de Vaquerias covering 3 sq. km and the Reserva Natural de Fauna Laguna De Felipa covering 13 sq. km.

The most popular nester is the Chilean Flamingo, indiginous to South America, which breeds in 10 areas only. The population declined in the 70s and 80s. In 1998 around 100,000 adults and 50,000 young were counted.

Wilson''s phalaropes nest in the North American prairies and spends the winter in Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. After the breeding season they cover a long distance non-stop to the North American salt lakes. At the Great Salt Lake up to 600,000 species and at Mono Lake up to 140,000 Wilson''s phalaropes were counted. There they moult and double their weight before flying over the Pacific and the Andes mountains. Adult birds cover this distance (5,000 km) in three days by flying 70 km/h. In the 70s, up to 500,000 species of Wilson phalaropes spent the winter at Mar Chiquita.

The main problem for Mar Chiquita is the water withdrawal from the Dulce River for irrigation purposes. It is extremely important to set up a water management system that includes Mar Chiquita and the wetlands as well.

Summer 2009:

Shortage of water at Mar Chiquita. Further information ...

Partner Organisation Mar Chiquita

Centro de Zoologia Aplicada Argentina

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Contact person: Dr. Enrique H. Bucher

Casilla de Correos 122

5000 Córdoba, Argentina

Phone: +54 351 433 20 55

Fax: +54 351 424 41 191

E-mail: buchereh@gmail.com

Website: www.promarmarchiquita.com.ar/

More information about Mar Chiquita

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