Protected natural areas are essential not only for the care and preservation of the environment, but also for human life itself, as the balance of the ecosystem depends on them.
In the province of Buenos Aires, there are more than 1,600,000 hectares distributed among different Protected Natural Areas. Besides being part of a valuable natural and cultural heritage, these spaces perform various essential functions for the communities of the province.
For this reason, it is essential to work on the balance, conservation, and sustainable use of these spaces. In this sense, the protection of these areas becomes key to strengthening local entities, as well as to improve the quality of life of the people from Buenos Aires.
protected natural areas
The main functions of Protected Natural Areas
Among the most important functions of natural areas are:
Water reservoir: these spaces serve to supply drinking water to nearby populations.
Help mitigate climate change: they contribute to reducing the frequency of extreme weather events.
Conservation of wetlands: they help mitigate floods and droughts, protecting different neighborhoods.
Regional economic development: they foster local economies and generate employment.
Refuge for biodiversity: these places serve as a home for endangered flora and fauna.
Recreational spaces: besides hosting local flora and fauna, they also serve as leisure and outdoor enjoyment areas for all the people from Buenos Aires.
Scientific and educational value: they provide opportunities for research and education.
private protected natural areas.
Natural areas in the Province of Buenos Aires
The province of Buenos Aires has 4.2% of the total area occupied by protected natural areas, a number that is well below the average among countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, which is 17%.
These places must be recognized through municipal, provincial, and national regulations in order to obtain the necessary guarantees for their conservation, as well as the resources needed for their care. However, the province’s territory has become a rather complex area for the creation of these spaces, as a result of the high population concentration and the real estate value of these lands due to high demand.
During the last decades, these spaces have gained greater importance, to the extent that initiatives to create these areas have been taken. In fact, some municipalities have decided to create municipal nature reserves, such as Ituzaingó, Moreno, Morón, or San Miguel; while others like General Rodríguez are on their way to do so.
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