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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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LAGUNA BLANCA |
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| General Description | The Laguna Blanca Biosphere Reserve is a typical treeless Patagonian steppe with crystalline rocks, including some sedimentary rocks with fossils of the genera Ostrea and Trigonia. The Biosphere Reserve contains the Laguna Blanca a saline lake in a main depression, at 1,267 metres above sea level, surrounded by some forest and mountains culminating at over 5,000 m. This area is of particular interest for its birds, and was in fact established to protect the black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocoryphus) which is found here in great abundance Geese found on the lake include the upland goose (Chloephaga picta), shovelor (Anas platalea), and blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis). Mammals include the opossum (Marmosa pallidior) and the skunk (Conepatus suffocans enuchus). The 600 inhabitants living in the transition area (1986) are engaged in traditional practices including livestock raising (sheep, goats, mules and cattle). Training courses aiming on improving rural development, cultural events, research and monitoring also take place. Some 2,500 tourists visit the Biosphere Reserve each year for ecotourism and environmental education. | |||
| Major ecosystem type | Mixed mountain and highland systems; freshwater lagoon | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Humid habitats dominated by Juncus balticus, Cortadeira rudiuscula, Festuca scirpifolia, Senecio rudbeckaefolius; lagoons; high mountain tops and slopes represented by Senecio graveolens, Werneria poposa, Artemisia copa etc.; mountain foothills characterized by Fabiana densa, Parastrephia phylicaeformis, Acantoloppia salsoloides etc.; upland open plains including Panicum choloroeucum, Muhlenbergia atacamensis, Festuca orthophylla and F. chrisophylla; pasture land | |||
| Location | 25°30' to 27°00'S; 66°24' to 67°20'W | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 710,000 | |||
| Core area(s) | 163,450 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 48,170 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 761,650 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +3,200 to +5,500 | |||
| Year designated | 1982 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Reserva Provincial Dirección Provincial de Agricultura y Ganaderia | |||
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| Brief description |
Ethnoarcheology Research and monitoring on Vicugna vicugna Research on Lama |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | n.a. | |||
| Biodiversity | Autoecology/Synecology, methodologies, wildlife. | |||
| Socio-economic | Archaeology/Paleontology. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | n.a. | |||
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| Last updated: 07/03/2011 |
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