An international team of 32 scientists identified the **15 environmental issues** that will affect the conservation of the **planet’s biodiversity** in the short term. Seven of them constitute specific threats in Argentina.
Conicet researcher, **Irene Schloss**, was the only Argentinean who participated in this ambitious study that scanned emerging issues capable of transforming **ecosystems** and **biodiversity** on a global scale.
The results of this research, published as a scientific article in [Trends in Ecology & Evolution](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534724002751?via%3Dihub#bb0010), seek to anticipate environmental challenges in order to develop solutions in time.
“The study becomes an early warning that can guide research, the formulation of public policies, and concrete action in different areas,” said Schloss to the CyTA-Leloir agency.
## Amenazas ambientales en corto plazo
From this global analysis, the scientist specified the seven emerging situations that, if measures are not taken, would seriously compromise the biodiversity of the Argentinian territory.
– **Combined effects of water quality and quantity**.
A situation already evident in the Paraná River, or **water availability** in the Northwest or Cuyo. Schloss, in dialogue with CyTA, said that this problem could compromise **food security**, health, and the environmental balance of the country. Therefore, she believes that “water bodies that are already degraded must be restored, within the context of integrated watershed management.”
– **Sea ice in Antarctica**.
In recent years, sea ice in Antarctica has reached historic lows. The scientist indicates that this retreat affects the South Atlantic ecosystem and species such as krill, seals, and whales. It can also accelerate the **melting of terrestrial glaciers** and contribute to sea-level rise “with consequences for the coastal areas of the country.”
– **PFAS contamination and emerging remediation techniques**.
PFAS are artificial substances used in household and industrial products, detected in urban water sources. They represent a risk to human health and biodiversity as they can accumulate in the body. “Concentration limits must be established and remediation technologies promoted in critical sites to prevent health problems,” said Schloss.
– **Anthropogenic impacts on seabed carbon reservoirs**.
Activities such as trawling, **oil exploitation**, or deep-sea mining can cause the release of carbon that increases the greenhouse effect. This would lead to the destruction of habitats in the Argentine Sea floor. The researcher emphasizes the need to establish **effective protected natural areas**, regulate extractive practices, and promote scientific research.
## Amenazas en mediano plazo
– **Macroalgae as a source of rare earth elements**.
The Patagonian coasts host abundant populations of macroalgae that can accumulate chemical elements or “**rare earths**” essential for biotechnological development. Schloss warns that before massive exploitation, it must be ensured that the functions of these ecosystems such as **carbon capture** and habitat for marine biodiversity are not compromised.
– **Directed synthetic genetics in plants**.
Since Argentina is an **agro-exporting country**, the scientist considers that the unregulated implementation of **genetic engineering** in plant species (to improve resistance to pests or diseases) could cause ecological imbalances. “It could affect both commercial crops and local biodiversity. It is crucial to establish rigorous regulatory frameworks,” she indicated.
– **Imitation of trichomes as an alternative to pesticides**.
The search to artificially recreate trichomes, small structures that cover plants and act as **natural repellents**, could have negative consequences for the environment. Schloss specifies that before implementing them, it is necessary to study their impact on ecosystems and their effectiveness on a large scale.
