Variabilidad estructural de la comunidad de macrófitas en un gradiente pluviométrico en la provincia de Chubut

Mallines are Patagonian wetlands characterized by permanent waterlogging on its soils, sustaining small shallow lakes that hosts a vast biodiversity. In these ecosystems, aquatic plants (i.e. macrophytes) develop different life forms adapted to humid conditions, allowing them regulate the physical and chemical conditions of mallín. A distinctive characteristic Patagonia is exponential west-east decrease in rainfall, which generates three biozones: forest, ecotone steppe. These biozones have been typified using landform plants, but whether macrophytes assemblages related each biozone or not has evaluated yet. The aim this work compare attributes macrophyte community biozone. During 2013-2014 austral Summer, 20 were sampled west province Chubut, assessing richness water variables. Macrophytes classified according their forms, origin, diversity was calculated. total 62 taxa determined, most corresponding Cyperaceae, Poaceae Ranunculaceae families. steppe exhibited alkaline pH values, higher conductivity soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) than forest. High SRP values favored abundance macroalgae. However, sites eutrophic, exhibiting high chlorophyll values. Those showed abundances macroalgae emerging macrophytes. would act as reservoirs at both local regional scales. Thus, understanding relationships among environmental variables could be useful for mallines biodiversity conservation plans.