Travel and get to know Esteros del Iberá, Argentina

With an area of ​​1.400.000 hectares, the Esteros del Iberá is the second largest wetland in South America. It is a network of wetlands made up of swamps, estuaries, lagoons, reservoirs and courses of pluvial origin.?The Esteros del Iberá have a depth that varies between one and three meters covered by aquatic plants that emerge from the bottom forming grasslands on the coastal edges and by camalotes and reservoirs. The reservoir systems originate in the camalotes, in their interweaving soil accumulates, brought by the wind and by the water, the formation of the first layer allows other species of plants to grow on it, even trees, with the passage of time other layers are superimposed. These formations integrate floating coasts and their landslides give rise to floating islands that move guided by the wind and currents.

According to measurements, the rainfall in the Esteros del Iberá, which annually oscillates between 1200 and 1500 mm., Returns to the system an amount of liquid equivalent to that which evaporates. ? The Iberá is an efficient water regulating dam, and this phenomenon causes effects in the area such as the bathed ones.

Flora on trips to Esteros del Iberá

Aquatic plants such as aguapés (camalotes in Guaraní), reed beds and reservoirs stand out; On the surface of the waters, you can see: irupés (water plate), and small ferns among others.?Among the different species of trees are, among others, the black lapacho, fig, viraró, black laurel, white quebracho, ombúes, jacarandas, ceibos, willows, timbo, and espinillos. Among the palm trees, the yatay, lindó and caranday are common.

Fauna on trips to Esteros del Iberá

Two kinds of Yacaré coexist in the estuaries, the black with a narrow snout and the ñato or overall with a wide snout. Among other species, there is an abundance of the River Lobito, a provincial natural monument, the capybara, which is the largest rodent, the swamp deer and carayás or howler monkeys.

Small gray foxes can also be found; Wildcat; skunks; black armadillos, furry, mullets, ferrets, weasels, hares, vizcachas; cuis and overo lizard; lizards, turtles. Among the reptiles: the water boa, the vizcacheras boa, boa constrictor. And the poisonous coral snakes, rattlesnake, will yara. ? There are more than 300 varieties of birds: such as capuchins, herons of all kinds, yellow and red breasts, goldfinches, cardinals and other colorful species of birds. There are also fish such as tarariras, eels, palometas or piranhas, bogas, tarpon, catfish, toothy, etc.