Phytoplankton of the Chaco-Pampean Plain

Abstract

This article summarizes the characteristics of phytoplankton of the Chaco-Pampean Plain between the Pilcomayo River (25º15’S; 57º45’W) and the Lower Salado River (31º39’S; 60º45’W) towards the Paraguay-Paraná system. This subtropical area has a climate gradient from east (wet) to west (arid). Rivers and streams have a seasonal regime, with fl oods in autumn and dry periods at the end of winter. These hydrological fl uctuations appear to be the driving forces of the phytoplankton community. During low waters (fl ow reduction and increase in salinity), diversity is reduced and density of euryhaline species is increased. The highest algal development in this area was observed during the extraordinary low water period of La Niña. In occasions of environmental stability and high temperatures, water blooms of Anabaenopsis arnoldii, A. nadsonii and Nodularia harveyana have been recorded. The lenitic environments of the western region (arid) show marked fl uctuations in extension and depth and may dry during periods of scarce precipitations. Phytoplankton density is low and represented by small Chlorococcales and Euglenophyceae. Water blooms of Dolichospermum spp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii are frequent. Shallow lakes and wetlands of the eastern region (wet), which have presence of macrophytes and high organic matter, are dominated by Cryptophyceae, Chlorococcales and a wide variety of species of Euglenophyceae and diatoms. The Ramsar Site called ‘Humedales Chaco’ has the greatest diversity of species in this region.