Vegetation patterns in a South American coastal wetland using high-resolution imagery

The aim of this study was to map and describe marsh patterns in a temperate coastal wetlands with high resolution imagery. We carried out a map of Samborombon Bay at 1:25,000 scale (central coordinates: 36º S 56º W, area: 320.25 km2) by using a WorldView-2 image acquired on November 17, 2010. An Object Based Image Analysis approach was chosen, and an unsupervised classification algorithm was applied. Overall classification accuracy was 81% and the Kappa index was 78.1%. We found four spatial patterns at a landscape scale. The lower intertidal was dominated by mudflats without vegetation in the exterior and middle estuary (patterns 1 and 2) and Bolboschoenus maritimus in the inner estuary (pattern 4). The middle intertidal was dominated by Sarcocornia ambigua in the four patterns while the higher intertidal was dominated by Spartina densiflorus and grasslands with Cortaderia selloana (pattern 3). The map allowed the discrimination of plant communities at a landscape scale and became a valuable baseline for future studies on wetland environmental indicators.Fil: Gonzalez, Eliana Belen. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: San Martín, Laura. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Grimson, Rafael. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kandus, Patricia. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentin

Subregión Playas y marismas de la Costa Patagónica e Islas del Atlántico Sur

Esta subregión se extiende a lo largo de más de 5.000 km. Debido a su extensión, se conjugan en ella diversas unidades ecológicas. La aridez del clima en el sector continental determina ambientes terrestres adaptados a las condiciones de escasez de agua, caracterizados por arbustos xerofíticos achaparrados, con hojas reducidas. La comunidad climáxica es la estepa arbustiva, aunque también se presentan estepas herbáceas y de caméfitos. En las zonas con mayor influencia marina y presencia de altos niveles de salinidad se observa una vegetación de tipo halófita con especies como Suaeda argentinensis y Atriplex sagittifolia.Fil: Blanco, Daniel E.. Fundación Humedales; Argentina. Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrallo Sustentable de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto de Investigacion E Ingenieria Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Investigacion E Ingenieria Ambiental.; ArgentinaFil: Yorio, Pablo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentin

El Inventario de Humedales de la cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo como un insumo para el ordenamiento ambiental del territorio

Frente a la continua expansión urbana, que avanzó ocupando y transformando los espacios verdes del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, es preciso contar con medidas de protección de los escasos espacios verdes restantes. Los diversos humedales de la Cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo que han escapado a estos procesos de ocupación de la tierra, quedando como verdaderos oasis dentro de la matriz urbana circundante, hoy se presentan como áreas de oportunidad para la conservación. Pensar un inventario de humedales de la cuenca como insumo para avanzar en un ordenamiento ambiental del territorio, desde una perspectiva del paisaje, permite considerar a los humedales como zonas proveedoras de innumerables servicios ecosistémicos, considerando su expresión en el territorio y su fragilidad ante las alteraciones humanas. Aquí presentamos los avances en el Inventario de la Cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo.Fil: Grimson, Rafael. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentin

Assessing the capability of broadband indices derived from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager to monitor above ground biomass and salinity in semiarid saline environments of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina

In arid and semi-arid ecosystems, salinisation and desertification are the most common processes of land degradation, and satellite data may provide a valuable tool to assess land surface condition and vegetation status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of Landsat 8 OLI (Operational Land Imager) remote sensing information and broadband indices derived from it, to monitor above ground biomass (AGB) and salinity in two different semiarid saline environments (unit a and unit b) in the Bahía Blanca Estuary. Unit a (Ua) is composed of bushes of Cyclolepis genistoides in association with Atriplex undulata and 41% of bare soil. Unit b (Ub) is composed of dense thickets of Allenrolfea patagonica in association with C. genistoides and 34% of bare soil. Pearson’s correlation analyses were performed between field estimates of AGB and salinity (soil salinity and interstitial water salinity) and remote sensing estimates. Satellite data include surface reflectance of individual bands, vegetation indices (NDVI [normalised difference vegetation index], SAVI [soil-adjusted vegetation index], MSAVI2 [modified soil-adjusted vegetation index], NDII [normalised difference infrared index], GNDVI [green normalised difference vegetation index], GRNDI [green-red normalised difference index], OSAVI [optimised soil-adjusted vegetation index], SR [simple ratio]), and salinity indices (SI1, SI2, SI3 [salinity index 1, 2 and 3, respectively] and BI [brightness index]). Correlation analyses involving AGB were performed twice; first considering all months and then again excluding the months with higher soil salinities. In Ua, soil adjusted vegetation indices SAVI and MSAVI2 showed to be suitable to detect changes in the total green AGB and C. genistoides green AGB (the major contributor to total green AGB). After excluding data from December and January (the months with the highest soil salinity), green AGB of A. undulata also showed a significant positive correlation with soil adjusted indices SAVI, MSAVI2 and OSAVI. Although proportionally this species was not a large contributor to the total biomass, it is characterised by a high leaf reflectance, which makes it suitable for biomass retrieval. In Ub, significant positive correlations were obtained between NDVI, SAVI, NDII, OSAVI and SR indices and the AGB green ratio, but significant negative correlations were obtained between A. patagonica red AGB and these vegetation indices. When December and January were excluded from the analysis the negative correlations between vegetation indices NDVI, OSAVI and SR and red AGB remained significant (r = −0.68, −0.76 and −0.7, respectively). The positive correlations between these indices and AGB green ratio (r = 0.73, 0.78 and 0.75, respectively) remained significant as well. Significant negative correlations were also found between NDVI, NDII, GNDVI, OSAVI and SR indices and field salinity estimates. As soil salinisation induces A. patagonica reddening, red AGB and soil salinity covariate in the field, and the negative correlation with vegetation indices may be useful to retrieve information on both variables combined, which are indicative of water stress. Correlation analysis between field estimates of salinity and spectral salinity indices showed significant positive correlation for all the tested indices. The obtained results highlight the importance of a thoughtful selection of remote sensing indices to account for changes in vegetation biomass, especially in arid and semiarid environments particularly sensitive to desertification and salinisation. Also, ground truth cannot be overlooked, and field work is necessary to test index performance in every case.Fil: Celleri, Carla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Zapperi, Georgina María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Pratolongo, Paula Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentin

Tiller dynamic and production on a SW Atlantic Spartina alterniflora marsh

We used non-destructive methods to study the bi-monthly changes in standing stock, turnover, and net aerial primary productivity (NAPP) of Spartina alterniflora in the Bahı ́ a Blanca Estuary, Argentina, from 2005 to 2007. Tillers were tagged and counted bimonthly and a weight:height relationship developed for the live and dead stems in a regularly flooded zone (low marsh, LM) and an irregularly flooded one (high marsh, HM). The annual tiller natality in year one compared to year two decreased from 440 68 to 220 58 new individuals m –2 yr –1 in the HM and from 500 103 to 280 97 new individuals m –2 yr –1 in the LM ( m 1 SE). Tiller mortality averaged 670 70 individuals m –2 yr –1 . Living biomass was present throughout the year in both the sites, but flowering occurred only at the HM where it began in December. The live biomass in the LM was significantly greater than in the HM in the first year, but decreased in the second year from 455 66 to 266 31 g m –2 in the HM and from 572 76 to 277 78 g m –2 in the LM ( m 1 SE). The highest levels of standing dead material were in the HM (55%) and the lowest in the LM (24%). The average total (live þ dead) aboveground biomass in the HM was significantly greater than in the LM in the first year, but decreased in the second year from 1033 120 to 556 33 g m –2 , and in the LM from 679 57 to 355 61 g m –2 ( m 1 SE). The annual NAPP, calculated as the sum of positive growth in individual tillers between intervals, showed no significant differences between years and sites, and averaged 628 94 g m –2 yr –1 ( m 1 SE). The dead biomass output (DBO), calculated as the sum of negative increments in NAPP between sampling intervals, was 956 121 g –2 yr –1 , and was not statistically different between sites. The productivity at this site is not different from that estimated for other marshes, when similar methods are used. The production at this site, however, may be limited by high salinity levels, and the differences observed between years related to climate changes between years, e.g., the 2006–2007 was an ENSO period.Fil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Kandus, Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Negrin, Vanesa Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Vicari, Ricardo Luis. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentin

Ecological processes and biogeochemical cycling in salt marshes: synthesis of studies in the Bahía Blanca estuary (Argentina)

Here we offer an integrative review of biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and several metals in salt marshes of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, located in South America, which is a region underrepresented in the literature. The dominant species, Spartina alterniflora and Sarcocornia perennis, have low net aboveground primary productivity but play substantial and contrasting roles in the biogeochemical cycling of elements. S. perennis was more efficient at metal sequestration, whereas S. alterniflora was important in the immobilization of phosphorus. Because of the differences in net aboveground primary productivity between high and low marsh, plant position should be considered to evaluate the role of S. alterniflora on biogeochemical cycles. Some elements were also in high concentrations in belowground tissues but, based on our data, we could not accurately estimate net belowground primary productivity, a key process to evaluate elemental cycling in salt marshes. In spite of uncertainties in the estimations, the slower decomposition rates in S. alterniflora would be indicative of a higher contribution to the long-term storage of nutrients and metals within the marsh. Regardless shortcomings, our work represents a valuable tool for comparisons with salt marshes worldwide.Fil: Negrin, Vanesa Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Botté, Sandra Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Pratolongo, Paula Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad FASTA "Santo Tomas de Aquino"; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca; Argentin

Net Primary productivity of Spartina densiflora brong in a SW atlantic coastal salt marsh

Abstract. Coastal marshes are known as organic matter producers. The goal of this work is to study tiller demography, standing biomass, and net aerial primary productivity (NAPP) in a Spartina densiflora coastal wetland, using a method applied to permanent sample plots located at two sites differing in topographic location, a regularly flooded zone [relative low marsh (LM)] and an irregularly flooded one [relative high marsh (HM)]. Measurements were made every 2 months during the 2005–2007 period. The annual NAPP was estimated to be 2,599±705 gDW m−2year−1 for the HM and 2,181± 605 gDW m−2year−1 and 602±154 gDW m−2year−1 for the first and second period of the LM populations, respectively, showing a seasonal pattern reaching maximum values in summer. The reduced NAPP values of the LM sites in the second year was associated with an extremely high precipitation period related to the 2007–2008 El Niño event.Fil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: de Marco, Silvia Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Vicari, Ricardo Luis. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Kandus, Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Ecología Regional; Argentin

Above- and belowground biomass and nutrient pools of Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) in a South American salt marsh

In order to examine the role of position in the tidal range on biomass production and nutrient pools in Spartina alterniflora in an Argentinian estuary, we estimated productivity and the concentration of C, N and P in tissues and pools (concentration × biomass) of these elements in low (LM) and high (HM) zones. Aboveground biomass of S. alterniflora was higher in HM than in LM. Aboveground primary productivity was 106 and 439 g dry wt m−2 year−1 in LM and HM, respectively. Belowground biomass was similar in LM and HM. Belowground primary productivity was 526 and 744 g dry wt m−2 year−1 for LM and HM, respectively. Nutrient pools were higher in HM than in LM. Biomass and productivity values were low, which makes nutrient pools low. The lower values of the parameters analysed in LM than in HM indicate that position in the tidal range is an important factor in this system, possibly due to the effect of flooding. Moreover, this pattern is opposite to the general one observed in the northern hemisphere, meaning that studying marshes from different environments is worth doing. Because pools were higher in HM, this zone would be more important for nutrient input to the estuary.Fil: Negrin, Vanesa Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: de Villalobos, Ana Elena. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Grupo de Estudios en Conservacion y Manejo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto de Investigación e Ingenieria Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecologia, Teledeteccion y Ecoinformática; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Botté, Sandra Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad FASTA "Santo Tomas de Aquino"; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca; Argentin

Allometric scaling of dry weight and leaf area for Spartina densiflora and Spartina alterniflora in two Southwest Atlantic Saltmarshes

Southwest Atlantic saltmarshes are characterized by the presence of Spartina alterniflora in the lower intertidal zones and Spartina densiflora in the middle to high tidal elevations. Because of its dominance and productivity and its central role in carbon and energy fluxes, Spartina spp. biomass and primary production have been extensively studied by different techniques. Since nondestructive techniques require relationships between tiller biomass and morphometric parameters, in this work we established allometric relations among biomass, leaf area, and size, in populations of S. densiflora and S. alterniflora from Mar Chiquita and Bahía Blanca, Argentina. We collected 743 standing tillers of S. densiflora and 663 of S. alterniflora from different dates, conditions (green, flowered, and dead), and sources (high and low marsh). We obtained strong correlations between all the morphometric parameters. Leaf area and leaf length were strongly related (R2 = 0.84 for S. densiflora and 0.91 for S. alterniflora). Leaf area per tiller and tiller biomass strongly regressed on tiller height (R2 = 0.97 and 0.91 for S. densiflora and 0.88 and 0.90 for S. alterniflora, respectively) thereby facilitating estimations of these parameters. The predictive power of the biomass vs. tiller height equations was satisfactory when applied for different data types (date, condition, and source), suggesting that the models can be widely used for estimating the biomass of a tiller from its length. Moreover, the predictive power of the equations was high even for standing dead tillers, allowing us to use the same equation along the tiller's span life and facilitating detritus production estimations. The allometric relations established in this study may be used to estimate Spartina biomass and leaf area at the study sites, with strong implications in the monitoring and assessment of saltmarshes.Fil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Borro, María Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Morandeira, Natalia Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Schivo, Facundo Mauro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Kandus, Patricia. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentin

A habitat suitability model for capybara (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) at its core area in Argentina

Habitat loss is one of the main factors reducing wildlife diversity and restricting its conservation. Habitat suitability models are important tools for wildlife management and conservation in order to evaluate the impacts of human activities on wildlife habitats. The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a semi-aquatic rodent that lives in South American wetlands that are subject to heavy human use. A spatially explicit model of capybara´s Potential Habitat Suitability (PHS) was developed for the core area of its distribution in the humid subtropical region of Argentina. Predictive variables in this deductive model were related to capybara habitat requirements, and their values were obtained from existing published papers. The PHS model was performed using two data subsets that evaluated both ecological requirements and anthropogenic threats, resulting in two partial indices: Potential Ecological Suitability (PES), and Risk of Human Impact (RHI). The PES assesses vegetation cover and the presence of lentic and lotic freshwater bodies. The RHI estimates habitat fragmentation and accessibility of poachers. Variables for the habitat requirements were spatially expressed through Geographic Information Systems. The model accuracy assessment was performed through field work and achieved 72% of overall accuracy. Results indicate that 13% of the study area had the highest values of PHS index, characterized by the presence of vast wetlands, habitats with low fragmentation and low accessibility for poachers. These results are a useful tool to improve conservation and management programs for protection of capybara habitat.La degradación del hábitat es uno de los principales factores que reduce la diversidad de la fauna y restringe su conservación. Los modelos de aptitud de hábitat son herramientas importantes para la gestión y conservación de la fauna con el fin de evaluar los impactos de las actividades humanas sobre los hábitats de la vida silvestre. El capibara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) es un roedor anfibio que habita los humedales de Sudamérica y es una de las especies nativas más utilizadas por el hombre. Se desarrolló un modelo espacialmente explícito de Aptitud Potencial de Hábitat para el capibara (PHS) para el área núcleo de su distribución en la región subtropical húmeda de Argentina. Las variables predictivas en este modelo deductivo se relacionaron con los requerimientos de hábitat del capibara, y sus valores se obtuvieron a partir de artículos publicados. El PHS se calculó considerando las necesidades ecológicas y amenazas antropogénicas, lo que resultó en dos índices parciales: Aptitud Ecológica Potencial (PES), y Riesgo de Impacto Humano (RHI). El PES valoró el tipo y la cobertura de la vegetación y la presencia de cuerpos de agua dulce lénticos y lóticos. El RHI estimó la fragmentación y la accesibilidad espacial de los cazadores furtivos. Las variables se expresaron espacialmente utilizando un Sistema de Información Geográfica. La exactitud del modelo, evaluada a través de corroboración a campo, fue de un 72% de precisión global. Los resultados indican que sólo el 13% del área de estudio cuenta con los más altos valores de índice de PHS, que se caracteriza por la presencia de extensos humedales, baja fragmentación y baja accesibilidad para cazadores furtivos. Estos resultados son una herramienta útil para mejorar los programas de conservación y gestión para la protección del hábitat del capibara.Fil: Schivo, Facundo Mauro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Kandus, Patricia. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Bolkovic, María Luisa. Dirección de Fauna Silvestre, Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Minotti, Priscilla Gail. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Ecoinformática; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, Ruben Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentin