Esteros De Iberá is the second largest wetland in the world, located in Corrientes Province, Argentina. It covers 1.3 million hectares and contains high biodiversity, including 125 fish species, 40 amphibian species, 344 bird species, 60 reptile species, and 85 mammal species. However, the wetlands face threats such as embankments, pollution, habitat fragmentation, overhunting, and invasive species. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect the ecosystem and promote sustainable use.

1. Esteros De Iberá “Bright Water”

2. Corrientes Province

3. Esteros De Iberá (within Corrientes)

4. 2nd Largest Wetlands in the World 1.3 Million Hectares Covers 14% of Corrientes 60% of the area is privately owned, with 90% of that is on dry land Remaining 40% is public and waterlogged

5. Biodiversity 125 Species of fish

6. 40 Species of Amphibians Leptodactylus

7. 344 Species of Birds

8. 60 Species of Reptiles

9. 85 Species of Mammals

10. Why Protect/Conserve Protecting the River at its Birthplace Ensures Correct Function of the Totality of the Ecosystem Sustainable Use of the Wetlands by all

11. Threats Embankments and Canals that Affect Water Fluxes (creation of gulleys and erosion) Pollution Artificial Habitat Barriers, Fragmentation Extinction of Species From Commercial and Game Hunting Introduction of Exotic and Invasive Species

12. Yacyretá Dam Loss of 100,000 Hectares of Agricultural Land to Flooding Reduction of 50,000 Cattle in 5 years Loss of 250,000 Hectares of Economically Productive Land

14. Governmental Many Attempts for National Park 1983 Corrientes Governments Declared Iberá a Nationally Protected Area 1994 – 5 Areas Within Iberá Made Conservation Areas

15. Social 24,000 Hectares declared as Wetlands of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention in 2002 Conservation Land Trust (Douglas Tompkins)

16. Douglas Tompkins

17. ForestalAndina

18. Sources http://www.theconservationlandtrust.orghttp:// www.tierramerica.info/index_en.phphttp://edant.clarin.com/diario/2009/09/03/sociedad/s-01991062.htmhttp:// www.forestalandina.com.ar/http:// www.internationalrivers.org/files/WRR.V18.N4.pdf