Estado del conocimiento en ecología y conservación de los roquedales de la Argentina: Una revisión

Abstract

State of knowledge on the ecology and conservation of rocky outcrops in Argentina: A review. Rocky outcrops provide resources that are used by different species and make them extremely important sites for biodiversity conservation. However, these systems remain poorly studied at a global level,and Argentina is not an exception. For this reason, we reviewed the available literature to provide the state of knowledge about the ecological role of rocky outcrops, and their importance as key landscape elements of Argentine ecosystems. Our review showed 85 articles that evidenced the use of rocky outcrops by different species. Of these, only one third focused on the specific study of these systems, evaluating mainly their function as habitat for species, followed by their role as shelters and, finally, as sites of interaction between individuals. The articles found suggest there are few studies in Argentina which properly evaluate the importance of rocky outcrops for biodiversity conservation, their contribution to people, the possible anthropic impact on them, and the actions that could be taken to favor their conservation and the maintenance of the services they provide. This information is essential for the design of adequate management policies that include these sites. The lack of these policies could be associated to a low interest aroused by those habitats as study systems, generally considered as inert or not very relevant. We suggest encouraging the ecological studies of these environments, which may contain novel organisms and interactions. In addition, we suggest specific actions for the preservation of the natural processes that take place there, and to evaluate and reduce the anthropic impact on them in order to maintain their functions. [Keywords: biodiversity, ecosystem services, geodiversity, habitat, impact] Cyanoliseus patagonus