Deforestation and pollution are the main threats to Argentina's biodiversity and landscapes.

A census in 1914 revealed that Argentina had approximately 105 million ha of forest. Today, studies estimate a
remaining 28 to 45 million ha. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), some 16,288,000 ha of
Argentinas forest cover have been lost between 1980 and 2000.
Beans taking over forests
Research in Argentina has shown that deforestation due to agricultural expansion of soybean is threatening
the Yungas cloud forest, and theChaco ecoregion, one of the largest forested biomes (a major regional group of
distinctive plant and animal communities) in South America.

In Argentina, while most recent expansion in soybean agriculture has relied on available agricultural land, there are
aggressive targets to expand the agricultural area to increase soybean production for export.1


The cattle threat
Beef production in Argentina also poses a threat to natural habitats. Beef feeding, located on land that used to
compete with agricultural crops, has been concentrated in the Espinal Ecoregion (an area of thorny deciduous
shrubland forest) threatening grasslands and forests.

Similar impacts have occurred with cattle breeding, which has expanded into the Chaco ecoregion and is
threatening forests. These processes are closely linked with an increasing demand for suitable land for soy
cropping.2


Other environmental problems
Argentina also faces the issue of energy consumption and management and the inefficient use of non-renewable
resources.
WWF (world wildlife fund) began working in Argentina in 1988, when Fundation Vida Silvestre
Argentina (FVSA) became an associate of WWF.

Together, they held joint campaigns, arrange global actions and receive financial backup for
executing programs and projects. They also exchange information and news on a periodical
basis about environmental issues.
Since 1987, the FVSA has established 12 wildlife refuges covering 55,000 ha. Currently, with the support of the
WWF, the FVSA is working toward forest landscape restoration in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion, which is one of the
richest forest habitats in Argentina.

The FVSA is also working to protect Argentina's largest wetlands, the Iber Marshes, from rising water levels due to
the Yacyret dam. In addition to promoting forest certification and freshwater conservation, the FVSA is also involved
in the promotion of energy resource management, environmental education, and the establishment of marine and
inland-protected areas.

Monte Leon - the Lion Mountain
Monte Leon covers 60,000 hectares of Patagonian steppes and stretches approximately 25 miles of the South West
Atlantic coats - about 1% of Argentina's coastline. Its name, which means Lion Mountain, comes from a coastal
mountain that resembles the profile of a lion. The puma, or mountain lion, still lives there. The area has also ancient
sea caves, kelp forest, sea lions, penguins, cormorants, and guanacos.
Creation of the first coastal Patagonian protected area
In May 2001, with the financial support of The Patagonia Land Trust and WWF, FVSA bought Monte Leon, and then
in November of 2002 donated it to the Argentinian National Parks Administration to create the first coastal
Patagonian protected area.
A management plan for the future Monte Leon Marine National Park has already been designed. The administration
committee includes: National Parks Administration, Santa Cruz province, Fundacin Vida Silvestre Argentina, and the
Patagonia Land Trust.

Protecting the jaguar
The yaguaret or jaguar is the biggest feline in the American continent. Originally this species home range spanned
from the south of the United States to the north of Argentina. Today it occupies less than the half of this area. One of
the biggest challenges for jaguar conservation is to maintain the genetic exchange of the populations in that region.

FVSA scientists are working to resolve the issue of jaguars killing cattle (without killing the jaguars) by establishing
barriers so that jaguars are not able to reach their prey.

The outstanding Iguau Falls, in the midst of the rich Atlantic Forest
Misiones is part of the largest continuous remnant of Atlantic Forest left in this highly threatened ecoregion. Nowhere
else in the Americas can you see so much of the Atlantic Forest, along with one of the largest and most spectacular
waterfalls in the world: The Iguau Falls.

WWF (both in Brazil and Paraguay) and FVSA in Argentina have been working together to develop a plan to promote
conservation and sustainable development in this region. This includes making about 1 million hectares of forest into
a Green Corridor that would allow the establishment of sustainable forest management, ecotourism, and a wealth of
small development projects that would ensure better use of the natural resources of the forest.

Peninsula Valdes
Peninsula Valdes is characterized by its vibrant coastline, a stunning array of tall cliffs, rocky reef and exotic marine
mammals. Peninsula Valdes is home to the southern elephant seal, sea lion, Southern right whale, and magellan
penguins. In a spectacular display, in March and April each year, killer whales breach on the beach in prey upon sea
lions pups.

The peninsula is also the world's most important breeding ground for Southern right whales. This giant, beautiful
creature arrives in April and leaves in December; as a result, whale watching has become a very important activity.
Finding sustainable alternatives to clearing forests for agriculture
Soy is a key crop and major source of income for Argentina, and cultivation of this crop is planned to expand further
in the coming years.

To ensure that this does not happen at the expense of vulnerable natural areas such as the Atlantic Forest
ecoregion, WWF is working together with business, government agencies, and NGOs to develop responsible
alternatives.

One example of this is the promotion of palmito (heart of palm). In Argentina, wild grown palmito can be sustainably
harvested while increasing the forest value and its productivity, as well as the landowners income.

Results of a recent market study show that there is a potential market for sustainably harvested and locally canned
palmito. Together with small farmers in the Atlantic Forest, WWFs partner organization, Fundacin Vida Silvestre
Argentina, is developing this market as a viable alternative to forest clearing.

Sustainable soy at a global level
In collaboration with companies, NGOs, and banks, WWF initiated the international Round Table on Responsible
Soy (RTRS), to jointly develop solutions for responsible soy production. The objective is to promote economically
viable, socially equitable and environmentally responsible production and use of soy.
Environmental Sustainability Issues in Argentina
Environmental Sustainability issues concerning Argentina are typical of those of most developing nations: poor water and air quality,
deforestation, and soil degradation. Many nongovernmental and governmental agencies work toward research and policymaking
that address pressing threats to the preservation of Argentina's wondrous natural landscapes, forests, and farmlands.
Experts agree that it is not the laws that are deficient in Argentina; rather, it is repeated failures to enforce current laws. With the
added internal conflict of the 2001 economic crisis, the struggle to balance economic growth and environmental preservation is a
major challenge. Currently, growth agendas are severely outweighing pro-environmental action. The environmental, social, and
health costs of these habits are not being computed into Argentina's economic formula.
The following statistics give perspective to the ongoing environmental sustainability situation in Argentina:
Disappearances of Forests: In 1914, there were 105 million hectares; since 2005 there is an estimated 33 million
remaining hectares of forest
Increase in Pesticides: In 1991, agriculture reported using 40 million liters of pesticides; by 1997 that number had grown
to 100 million liters
High Levels of Lead(plumb): In the province of Jujuy, 59 percent of children from the Abra Pampas have an unsafe
amount of lead in their blood; the impact to local flora and fauna is unknown
The burning of forests generates more greenhouse gases than motor vehicles
Since 1985, the amount of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 140 percent; whereas carbon dioxide,
nitrogen oxide, and particulates have increased 60, 56 and 100 percent, respectively
Since 1914, two-thirds of Argentina's native forests have been destroyed. If this destruction continues unchecked, all of
Argentina's native forests will be gone by the year 2024.
With increased industrial activity and a growing population, many areas of Argentina face a total lack of safe drinking water.
Municipalities rarely have the resources to treat water before entry to other bodies of water, resulting in the contamination of the
majority of both subterranean and superficial water resources. Buenos Aires alone has depleted its aquifers, and now relies solely
on the Rio de La Plata to supply its growing population's water needs. Unfortunately, this river is shared with Uruguay and makes
one of the biggest estuaries in the world, but is being threatened by significant pollution. The establishment of transnational factories
along the Paran and Uruguay Rivers are one of the biggest threats of extreme water pollution in the area and one of the hottest
topics in civil protest and debate.
Growing public awareness about the critical condition of the nation's water supply has put pressure on the government to act, in
addition to raising public interest in other environmental issues. However, to create enforceable policies research must be done and
the public must be educated so that they will not accept the propaganda and lack of enforcement, which has been the current
government position. This is the area in which FSD has been most influential while working with environmental NGOs. FSD interns
and volunteers conduct vital research that informs many projects initiated by FSD host organizations (specifically research in public
transportation, public awareness campaigns, national and international environmental law policies, and air emissions cataloging).
Other interns and volunteers support the implementation of project work that is fed by critical research. These various projects lay
the foundation for a sustainable use of resources for several generations to come.
Read more about Environmental Sustainability programs and opportunities initiated by our Community Partners in Argentina.
Like other countries, Argentina suffers from environmental degradation, though not all indicators are negative. Aging diesel
buses may be the primary culprit in deteriorating urban air quality, but private vehicles (some still using leaded gasoline) and
taxis contribute more than their share (some taxis and private vehicles, though, burn natural gas). Superannuated factories,
with their subsidized smokestacks, are another source.
Drinking water is normally potable, but a historical legacy of polluted waterways derives from, first, the
proliferation of European livestock on the pampas, followed by the processing of hides and livestock,
and then by heavy industry.A different sort of air pollution is the deterioration of the antarctic ozone layer, which has
exposed both humans and livestock in far southern Argentina to ultraviolet radiation in summer. Though ozone depletion is a
global problem over which Argentines have little control, they suffer the consequences of the growing ozone hole.
Just as motor vehicles cause urban air pollution, they also produce most of its noise pollution, due partly to inadequate
mufflers. According to one study, vehicular noise accounts for 80 percent of noise levels that, at corners like Rivadavia and
Callao in Buenos Aires, exceed 80 decibels. Buses and motorcycles are the worst offenders.
Drinking water is normally potable, but a historical legacy of polluted waterways derives from, first, the proliferation of
European livestock on the pampas, followed by the processing of hides and livestock, and then by heavy industry. The
textbook case is Buenos Airess Riachuelo, in the working-class barrio of La Boca, which more closely resembles sludge
than water; its bottom sediments, thanks to chemical runoff from factories here and in nearby Avellaneda, are an even
greater toxic hazard. The construction of riverside pulp plants in Uruguay continues to be a hot-button issue in Entre Ros
Province, but this is a complex issue characterized by much cynical posturing on the Argentine side.
In the provinces, mining is also a factor; near the town of Esquel, Chubut Province, vociferous opposition caused
abandonment of a Canadian project that would have used cyanide, which could have found its way into streams and
aquifers, to extract gold from local ores. In San Juan Province, Canadas Barrick Gold is promoting a binational project that
could mean the destruction of several glaciers on the Chilean side of the border and pollution of downstream irrigation
water.