Patagonian BioProvince

This BioProvince (as defined by Armen Takhtajan) comprises Patagonia in southern Argentina. Its northern boundary reaches the Rio Negro in the west and the Rio Colorada in the east, while its southern boundary extends to the northern parts of Tierra del Fuego. Most of the BioProvince is composed of an undulating plateau that gradually descends from the southern Andes to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The Patagonian Massif has a pre-Cambrian base with deposits of terrestrial and marine sediments ranging from early Permian to Tertiary. The area has a very dry climate, which is further excerbated by constantly blowing, desiccating winds from the west. Winter can last up to 5 months with temperatures dropping down to -3°C. Nevertheless, the flora is very rich with up to 12,000 vascular plants. About 30 % of these are endemic and there is one near endemic family (Halophytaceae) and six endemic genera: Benthamiella (Solanaceae), Eriachaenium, Duseniella (Asteraceae), Neobaclea (Malvaceae), Philippiella (Caryophyllaceae) and Xerodraba (Brassicaceae).

The following accounts for this BioProvince have been written or will be written with particular reference to endemic and locally important species. Accounts available are displayed in green or yellow. Those displayed in red are either in the pipeline or awaiting expert contributions.

 

Index
Major Ecosystems
Vascular Plant Flora
Bryophyte Flora
Fungus Flora
Lichen Flora
Invertebrate Fauna
Amphibian Fauna
Reptile Fauna
Bird Fauna
Mammal Fauna
Conservation Status