Marcela Ferreyra, a biologist, teacher, and botanical tourism guide, collaborates with Cecilia Ezcurra, a biologist with a Ph.D. in biological sciences and a researcher at INIBIOMA, focused on the systematics and evolution of plants in southern South America.
Ezcurra has been a professor at the National University of Comahue and director of the Herbarium at the Regional University Center of Bariloche. Together, they conduct workshops on high mountain species, sharing their knowledge with technicians, extensionists, and the general public.
## High Mountain Species
The high mountain flora is of particular interest due to the morphological and physiological adaptations of species to extreme environmental conditions. The presence of restricted endemisms and the specific richness of high-altitude flora are remarkable. Factors such as geographic isolation, orogenic processes, glaciations, and climate change promote the diversification of this flora.
## Impact of Human Activities
Despite their remote location, high mountain environments are not exempt from negative impacts derived from human activities such as mining, livestock farming, and tourism. These activities can lead to soil compaction, reduction of vegetation cover, and the loss of native species.
## Flora of Northern Neuquén
The high mountain flora of northern Neuquén is especially rich and interesting, developing in a transition zone between the Patagonian Andes and the Central or Cuyo Andes. This region hosts a significant number of micro-endemic species. Some of these species are in a vulnerable situation due to their restricted distribution and the intensive use of their habitats during spring and summer.
Ferreyra and Ezcurra have prepared reports and lists of exclusive high mountain species in a vulnerable situation. These data aim to contribute to decision-making by developing management plans for existing protected areas and evaluating the creation of future reserves.
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