EFFECTS OF MAN-MADE FIRES ON WETLANDS OF THE PARANÁ RIVER IN ARGENTINA: PERSPECTIVES OF ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

PELTZER, P.; CUZZIOL BOCCIONI, A.P.; LORENZÓN, R.; BORTOLUZZI, A.; PEÑA, N.; ATTADEMO, A.; BASSO, A.; LEÓN, E.J.; BELTZER, A. H.; LAJMANOVICH, R.C.

Oecología Australis

Oecologia Australis Rio de Janeiro RJ: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia

Lugar: Río de Janeiro; Año: 2023

2177-6199

Fire activity in South America is one of the most concerning environmental catastrophes, given its potential impacts on the global climate change. The aim of the present study was to determine the immediate effects of man-made fires on the soil and on the diversity of vascular plants and vertebrates present in the wetlands of the Paraná River (South America) during 2020. We measured the depth of burning and listed the vascular plant and vertebrate species that were burnt by the fires. We collected field data of plant species by in situ observation and data on vertebrate species by visual encounter surveys. Species that could not be determined in situ were recorded by photographs for later identification in the laboratory. We also determined the difference normalized burn ratio (dNBR) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at different time periods. The soil burnt at a depth of 2 -12 cm, whereas the flame heights ranged from 2.70 to 4.20 m due to the presence of woody species. A total of 46 plant and 39 vertebrate species were affected. The dNRB index showed moderate to high burn severity. The NDVI values decreased by half respect to the values recorded in the control images immediately after the fire and showed low medium-term revegetation after three to four months. In conclusion, man-made fires severely damaged wetlands, affecting natural regeneration. Since the probability of man-made fires in wetlands tends to increase due to the climate change, the extraordinary Paraná River drought, urbanization, expansion of crops and livestock production, there is an urgent need for a law to conserve and restore these ecosystems.