A recent study in the Ansenusa Bay, within the Mar Chiquita Lagoon, revealed the presence of 22 species of native mammals, several of which are in vulnerable or endangered status. This research is part of the “Green Lungs” program of the Ministry of Environment and Circular Economy of Córdoba, aimed at conserving key ecosystems of the province.
Among the species identified as vulnerable are the Geoffroy’s cat, the jaguarundi, the puma, the pampas deer, the plains viscacha, and the coypu. Meanwhile, four species were classified as endangered: the maned wolf, the grass cat, the collared peccary, and the capybara.
The survey, conducted in collaboration with academic institutions, aims to expand knowledge about the region’s fauna and develop effective strategies for their protection. Experts emphasize that many of these species require large territories for their survival, highlighting the importance of preserving this area within the Conservation Unit that includes the Bañados del Río Dulce Multiple Use Reserve, the Mar Chiquita Lagoon, and the Ansenuza National Park.
Research in other protected areas
In addition to the work in Ansenusa Bay, researchers conducted a survey at Posta del Espinillo, in the Marcos Juárez department. There, they identified 55 bird species, including six classified as vulnerable: the black-and-rufous warbling finch, the chalk-browed mockingbird, the brown-chested martin, the black-faced warbler, the ringed teal, and the red shoveler.
The “Green Lungs” program seeks to promote the conservation and restoration of representative ecosystems in Córdoba. To achieve this, it encourages environmental education and nature tourism as key tools for biodiversity preservation.
Various towns in Córdoba have begun to join this initiative, committing to the protection of the natural environment. Identifying threatened species in protected areas allows for the design of more effective policies for their safeguarding and underscores the urgency of halting ecosystem degradation in the province.
Why are “green lungs” important?
Green lungs are green areas that help clean the air and maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They are important because they contribute to people’s health and environmental care.
Benefits of green lungs
- Clean the air: Green lungs absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen (O2).
- Improve mental health: The presence of green areas in cities reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Contribute to climate regulation: Green lungs help combat climate change.
- Protect from pollutants: Ecological reserves trap pollutants and control pollution levels.
- Contribute to biodiversity: Green lungs provide niches for other organisms to inhabit.
- Contribute to pollination: Green lungs are essential for pollination, on which most plants depend.
Some examples of green lungs can be forests, parks and gardens, ecological reserves, or even the Amazon rainforest.
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