The marshy-land
areas and the lagoons with their rich ecosystems undoubtedly represent
one of Argentina's most important biological areas. This huge system
of wetlands, together with a high diversity of animal and plant species,
makes up a substantial part of Corrientes' natural assets. Therefore,
in order to preserve its natural resources, the internationally known
beauty of its landscapes and the biodiversity of its ecosystems, the
Government of the Province of Corrientes created the Ibera Reserve
by law, on April 15, 1983.
Old river beds or the Parana's abandoned ones currently make up
the basis of this independent and complex net of moist soil, which
comprises swamplands, marshy lands, lagoons, sloughs and pluvial-origin
streams.
The Ibera system is composed of the great mass of vegetation of
the marshy lands. They can hold and retain both water and rainfall,
which are roughly 1200 - 1500 millimeters every year, in constant
interaction, since the thick layer of boggy vegetation retains and
regulates the rainfall in its basin. Out of the huge amount of water,
less than one-fourth is derived to the Parana, through the only
surface drain in the system, the Corriente river. The rest is done
by the vegetal carpet by means of metabolic perspiration and direct
vaporization, favored by its great extension and scarce depth.
The sloughs are originated in the water hyacinths, over whose vegetal
intertwining is deposited the earth carried by the wind and the
water, thus forming the first layer that allows the rooting and
growth of various plant species, including trees. Therefore, they
constitute true 'floating coasts' - their loosenings becoming 'floating
islands' - whose course is directed by the wind and currents.
Within this system, the marshy-land areas cover large extensions.
They are deposits of stemmed water, 1 to 3 meters deep, covered
with water plants, many times coming from their bottom, with strawy
areas along the rims. They can also be floating conglomerates hiding
the water surface like sloughs and water hyacinth islands. The latter
appear in marshy areas and on the borders of rivers and lagoons.
They are made up of floating plants like water lily, lesser duckweed,
etc.
Another environment characteristic of this region is the swampland,
made up by a temporary accumulation of water, covering the lowest
areas in times of heavy rains. Water either drains to temporary
brooks, or is absorbed by the ground, remaining only in the permanent
lagoons, in the deepest places. When it occupies low, almost flat
areas, which make regular drain difficult, they originate a false
ground locally known as malezal (undergrowth of weed).
The Reserve is an area with an outstanding abundance in wildlife:
home to over 350 species of birds, 85 species of mammals, and more
than 70 reptiles and amphibians.
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A mammal with water habits, the capybara
(carpincho) never goes too far away from the water, from which
it depends on for bathing, drinking, taking shelter and feeding on
water plants. Like every rodent, the capybara has continuous-growth
incisors. Mainly herbivorous, it grazes mid-afternoon till late at
night. It is an exclusively American species.
The muzzle, ears, and eyes are aligned on the upper part of the head,
allowing it to swim with almost all the body under the water. The
membrane between its toes is a clear sign of its adaptation to the
water environment. It is not excessively active. It is usually seen
lying on the shore, sometimes half way into the water to regulate
its body temperature. The species' gregariousness is shown in the
frequent physical contact among the members of the herd. Adults reach
120cm and 50kg. It shares the habitat with some insectivorous birds.
It flocks in sedentary herds. The young (usually 1 to 7) are born
after 122-153 days, and show an advanced development state. Since
the first few days they are able to nurse and follow their mother.
The capybara's fur is affected by the contact with clayey mud, and
apparently renovated periodically. Adults are brown and ruddy. The
male is darker on the belly and the rump. The ears are blackish, not
very developed, rounded and soft and they have a fold which allows
the shutdown of the ear channel when the capybara goes underwater.
Courting and copulation take place underwater.
Occasionally, some lonely individuals may appear, generally males,
but they are commonly seen resting, grazing or swimming in groups.
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One of the 62 lagoons that
make up the big ecosystem is the Iberá Lagoon, in which boarders
the town called Carlos Pellegrini, a small town of only 600
inhabitants. Inside this colony is the hostelry Ñanderetá
( that means "our land"). An open window to nature, giving
the visitor an exotic environment with majestic views and unforgettable
experiences.
Ñanderetá
Inn gives its visitors very comfortable rooms and efficient
personalized attention to give them a more comfortable stay. Established
in a wood and stone building in the middle of the woods surrounded
by pines and a great variety of plants and flowers. Double and triple
rooms with private bathrooms, living rooms, game rooms, restaurants,
bar, a library, a video library with specialized graphic material,
view terrace, cellular phones, dock, boats, our own horses and excursions
with special tracks are some of the services offered. The owner,
Cielo, born in the city of Mercedes and belongs to a traditional
family in Corrientes, along with her husband and children, they
all build a familiar environment which makes the staying a lot more
cozy.
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The eyes, ears and nostrils of the
Black Caiman are located in the upper part of the head, allowing
it to swim almost completely concealed under water, making it difficult
for its preys and predators to spot it. Its trail propels it along,
as it keeps its legs folded close to the body. On the land, it crawls
with its belly almost sticking to the ground. However, it can get
on all fours and reach a notable speed. Its large, fleshy tongue is
stuck to the floor of its mouth cavity.
They are quite inactive during daytime, spending hours sunbathing
to regulate their body temperature.
After mating in the water, the male shows no interest in the process
of gestation. Nest building is an exclusive task of females which,
using their legs, body and tail, accumulate - depending on the water
conditions - shore plant remnants, making a 1.5 diameter spot with
a hole in the center. It lays around 50-60 oval 6-cm eggs, whose shell
is hard, whitish and wrinkled. It orders them in layers and then covers
them with earth and branches. Thus they are hidden and protected.
The mother does not take part in the hatching process, which is January
to March.
Embryos grow thanks to the summer heat and the decomposition of the
plants making up the nest.
The female just watches, hatching with her stare. Around two months
later, the eggs are hatched. As the eggshell is very thick, newborns
have a special tooth to break it with. This tooth is located in the
tip of the snout, and it falls off a few days later.
As soon as they are born, the offspring utter hoarse growls. The mother
answers this call, meeting the 5cm long cubs, with large bulging eyes,
a short snout, and soft, light green skin with black spots and bars.
During their first few days of life they eat larvae and insects from
the plants making up their nests. Then the mother leads them to the
water, and will continue to look after them for a year, time during
which they will stay close to the nest.
They grow slowly. They take almost two years to reach a length of
30 cm, and several more to reach maturity. They then may reach a length
of 2m and a weight of 55kg.
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