The Soto Lagoon, located near the city of Corrientes, is facing an alarming situation. Researchers warn that, if current conditions persist, this important wetland could disappear in the coming years. This was affirmed by geographer Félix Ignacio Contreras, a researcher at the National University of the Northeast (UNNE) and CONICET, who has been closely monitoring the ecosystem’s degradation process.
The warning is part of a recently published research conducted in collaboration with the National University of La Plata and other institutions from the Montevideo Group, detailing the factors critically affecting this body of water. Among them, prolonged drought, uncontrolled urban sprawl, and artificial modifications in the lagoon’s natural surroundings stand out.
“I am more than convinced that we are facing a drying process that could lead to the definitive disappearance of Soto Lagoon,” Contreras warned in an interview with Radio Nord Corrientes.
An Ecosystem in Decline
The geographer, nicknamed “the lagoons doctor” for his expertise in wetland studies in the NEA, explained that while these ecosystems naturally tend to silt up—that is, fill with sediments—, human action is accelerating this process.
According to Contreras, the expansion of gated communities and urban developments onto areas that used to serve as a buffer to the lagoon, together with water extraction by pumping, soil removal, and artificial channeling, have severely limited the wetland’s ability to self-regulate.
“That channel prevents the lagoon from reaching its maximum capacity. And if we add to that the constant pumping of water, we are facing very accelerated degradation,” explained the specialist.
The data is clear: compared to 2017, a year of heavy rains, the lagoon has lost nearly 50% of its surface area. If this trend is not reversed, it could turn into a seasonal marsh or disappear entirely, warn the researchers.
Urgent Call to Action
The situation of Soto Lagoon highlights the cumulative impact of human decisions on natural ecosystems. But it also provides an opportunity to reflect and act in a timely manner.
“It’s not just an environmental issue. We are talking about an ecosystem that plays key roles in water regulation, regional biodiversity, and the quality of life of nearby communities,” Contreras concluded.
Experts insist on the need for clear public policies, territorial planning, and citizen awareness to halt the deterioration. Otherwise, Soto Lagoon runs the risk of becoming another example of how inaction can erase entire natural landscapes from the map.
Facts about Soto Lagoon
Soto Lagoon, located in the province of Corrientes, Argentina, is a peri-urban wetland facing issues of contamination and surface loss. It is an important ecosystem supporting a diversity of fauna and flora but is threatened by human actions and drought.
Main Characteristics of Soto Lagoon
- Location: It is near the city of Corrientes, in the homonymous province.
- Type: It is a peri-urban wetland, meaning a wetland located in the vicinity of a city.
- Surface: It is rapidly losing surface area, which could lead to its disappearance if containment measures are not taken.
- Water Characteristics: It generally has high transparency, with variations due to wind activity and plankton development.
- Fauna: It sustains a variety of fauna species, some of which are vulnerable or endangered.
- Threats: Contamination, lack of sewer service in some surrounding areas, and surface loss due to drought are some of the threats the lagoon faces.
Contamination and Surface Loss Issues
- Contamination: An estimated 20 households lack sewer service, contributing to the lagoon’s contamination.
- Surface Loss: A scientific study warns that the lagoon is rapidly losing surface area and could dry up completely if urgent measures are not taken.
Importance and Possible Solutions:
- Vital Ecosystem: Soto Lagoon is a significant ecosystem that plays a key role in water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.
- Containment Measures: Urgent actions are needed to prevent surface loss and contamination of the lagoon, such as implementing wastewater treatment systems, restoring vegetation, and sustainably managing the water resource.
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