Coastal wetlands of the Río de la Plata and its Maritime Front.

ISACCH JP; ALBERTI J; DALEO P.; ESCAPA M; IRIBARNE O

Río de la Plata and its Maritime Front.

Springer Series on Environmental Management

Año: 2010;

In this chapter we describe the extent, localization, diversity, threats and the main ecological processes dominating the coastal wetlands of the Río de la Plata and its Maritime Front. Marshes cover approximately 960 km2, being 85% of this area in the Samborombón Bay being one of the South America's largest saltmarsh ecosystems. Spartina alterniflora, S. densiflora and Sarcocornia perennis are the dominant plant species, and the bioturbator intertidal crab Neohelice (Chasmagnathus) granulata is a key species controlling several ecological processes occurring inside the marsh and their tidal plain. Cattle grazing and climate change appears to be the main forces changing this habitat. However, despite their large number of uses and threats, its state of preservation is relatively good.