Chironomid research in northern Patagonia

DONATO, MARIANO; MASSAFERRO, JULIETA; BROOKS, STEPHEN J.

Chironomus Newsletter

Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Lugar: Trondheim; Año: 2009 vol. 22 p. 9 - 11

0172-1941

The freshwater insect biodiversity of Patagonia is poorly known and knowledge is constrained by alack of adequate identification guides and reference collections. In addition, there is poor public understanding of the importance of wetlands for biodiversity. In order to address these issues, a three year Darwin Initiative project, entitled “Capacity Building for Aquatic Insects in Patagonia” and supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra, UK), began in 2006. The study area is the Nahuel Huapi National Park (NHNP) in northern Patagonia, Argentina. NHNP covers 7050 km2 of Patagonian steppe, temperate deciduous forest and Valdivian rainforest. The latter ecosystem is recognised as one of the most threatened eco-regions in the world by the Global 2000 initiative launched by WWF and the World Bank. The main objectives of the Darwin Initiative project are to increase knowledge of freshwater insect biodiversity; to promote conservation of the various freshwater ecosystems in this protected area; and to communicate, share and educate citizens in different aspects of biodiversity.