Pampean Rivers

CAPÍTULO, ALBERTO RODRIGUES; GABELLONE, N. A.; GIORGI, A; CAPÍTULO, LEANDRO RODRIGUES; GOMEZ N,

Rivers of South America

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2024; p. 743 - 771

South America is a continent of freshwater superlatives, home to vast rivers, unparalleled biodiversity, and vital ecosystems. However, these rivers face increasing threats from pollution caused by mining and untreated sewage, dam construction, agricultural expansion, deforestation, and large-scale navigation projects. These pressures have led to significant ecosystem degradation and defaunation, often before we fully understand the species and ecological roles of these rivers.The book Rivers of South America originated in 2018 during an IBEPECOR project meeting funded by CYTED. It compiles information on the biodiversity, hydrology, management, geology, and conservation of 89 rivers across 23 chapters, including Pampean rivers. It aims to address knowledge gaps and serve as a reference for environmental managers, NGOs, and the public to preserve these river systems for future generations.Although there is uneven biological data across taxa and regions, this is the first comprehensive work on South American rivers. It complements studies on North American and European rivers and highlights the pressing impacts of climate change and deforestation, such as the devastating 2024 floods in Southern Brazil.