In the arid landscape of the Patagonian steppe, wetlands appear as green patches that break the monotony. In the Cañadón Caracoles, northwest of Santa Cruz, a sustained effort since 2018 aims to restore these environments, crucial for wildlife and increasingly scarce in the region.
The project began when the team from Parque Patagonia detected signs of deterioration: cut springs, artificial channels, and burned reed beds. The initial intervention in the wetland in front of the Estación Biológica El Unco showed quick results: by redirecting springs and closing channels, the ecosystem regenerated and once again attracted birds and local wildlife.
Diagnosis and Systematic Restoration
In 2024, the team identified nearly 100 wetlands within the park, in various states of conservation. Based on this survey, a broader restoration phase was defined. Currently, work is being done on six wetlands, five in the Cañadón Caracoles and one on the Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires, prioritizing those most affected by drainage, exotic flora, or feral livestock.
The logic is simple: let the water flow again. When the springs recover their flow, the low areas flood, reeds sprout, and the wetland resumes its natural dynamics.
The Role of Reeds and Biodiversity
The reed was chosen as a key species for recovery. Its rapid growth generates vegetation cover, reduces evaporation, and provides shelter for birds and mammals. Thanks to its presence, species like the little grebe and the coypu —which had locally disappeared— returned to inhabit the wetlands.
The results are visible: in a wetland intervened in 2019, where there were eight degraded hectares, today more than 30 hectares in good condition extend. Hundreds of birds have returned to the water mirrors, along with ducks, geese, and other species associated with the reed beds.
Community and Shared Restoration
Restoration is not limited to technical work. The Parque Patagonia team promotes community participation. Rocío Navarro, coordinator of the Communities area, explains that walking the wetland, observing the water, and “getting hands in the mud” are part of the experience.
As part of the “Cuando Digo Sur” program, residents of Perito Moreno toured a degraded urban wetland and then another in the process of recovery, understanding that reversing the damage is possible. The historical name of the area, Paliaique (“place of reeds”), recalls the centrality of these environments in local identity.
Testimonials of Change
Local resident María Elisa Uriondo participated in the planting of reeds and described the experience as “wonderful.” For her, being in direct contact with the wetland changed her way of looking at the landscape: “Seeing how a small spring can form a wetland makes you value the natural wealth we have so close”.
The restoration of wetlands in the Cañadón Caracoles demonstrates that, with simple actions and community commitment, it is possible to recover key ecosystems in the Patagonian steppe. These oases not only support biodiversity but also strengthen the historical and cultural bond of communities with their natural surroundings.
