Environmental diagnosis of the protected coastal areas of the Bahia Blanca estuary

Abstract

The analysis of the coastal ecosystems of the following protected areas is presented in this chapter: (a) Bahia Blanca, Bahia Falsa, and Bahia Verde Multiple Use Nature Reserve (it has islands, tidal channels, and intertidal zones represented by silty clay tidal flats and vegetated marshes of Spartina alterniflora and Sarcocornia perennis); (b) Islote de la Gaviota Cangrejera Nature Reserve located in the northern limit of the Principal Channel of the Bahia Blanca Estuary; (c) Bahia Blanca Coastal Reserve located in the inner zone of the estuary; (d) Wetlands of the Inner Sector of the Bahia Blanca Estuary and (e) Puerto Cuatreros Wetland (areas d and e are included in the list of protected areas since they belong to the Hemispheric Migratory Bird Network); (f) wetlands of Villa del Mar; and (g) Arroyo Parejas Wetland-Cantarelli Island also associated with the hemispheric network. The largest variations of the units identified in each of the natural reserves are associated with current and previous human activities and natural processes that in many cases are accelerated by human action. All the variables analyzed were integrated through the environmental quality index (EQI). In addition, the effectiveness of natural reserves management is analyzed.