In the natural world, each animal or plant belongs to a particular habitat and this is what allows the sustainability of the species in time and space. Next, discover the main invasive alien species in Argentina that have altered the balance of flora and fauna in this country thanks to the intervention of man.
Main invasive alien species in Argentina
With good intentions or not, unfortunately man has participated directly in the mobilization of species throughout the world.
Unfortunately, the arrival of these species has caused significant imbalances in the habitat of native living beings, altering their ecosystem to the point of putting their existence at risk.
According to publications issued by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina, through the National Information System on this type of species, there are around 700 that coexist in this country. Next, we cite 12 of the main ones found and that have proliferated throughout the Argentine territory.
European hare (lepus europaeus)
Coming from Europe, this species of lagomorph mammal reproduces rapidly, having between 3 and 4 births per year of up to 4 offspring, which contributed to its accelerated spread throughout South America.
Sightings of these animals in Argentina began in the early XNUMXth century. The exorbitant increase in its population, together with its inexhaustible appetite for hay and other herbs, has resulted in serious damage to the agricultural sector and has collaterally reduced the food resources of other native species.
red deer (cervus elaphus)
The red deer is one of the invasive species in Argentina brought from Europe when the 20th century was just beginning with the aim of increasing the proportions of big game and enhancing local biological diversity.
However, the breeders were unable to control the reproduction of the species and it managed to expand throughout the national territory, profoundly affecting forest communities. The researchers assure that of the animals considered as invaders, terrestrial mammals represent less than 3% but the taxonomic group with the greatest destructive impact is the red deer with 29%.
Their presence inhibits the development of predominant tree species, facilitates the incursion of exotic plants and, in this sense, they are a latent threat to livestock and herbivorous mammals in general, native to Argentine lands.
wild boar (sus scrofa)
Like the red deer, around the year 1905, these mammals originating from Eurasia and North Africa, were transferred to the Argentine Pampas in order to raise the level of sport hunting.
However, their massive expansion has turned them into a plague, causing a wide variety of detrimental impacts on the environment. Such as: competing for inputs with native species, deterioration of the soil and destruction of seeds, promoting the incursion of exotic plants, predation of walking birds and their nests, as well as young cattle.
Of the exotic species in Argentina , the wild boar is part of the list of animals that transmit parasites and diseases that can harm both humans and other natural species.
American mink (neovison mink)
The American mink belongs to the family of mustelids, it is related to ferrets and weasels, this species was introduced to Argentine lands around the 30s from the United States of America.
Initially it was mobilized for industrial purposes in the fur market (cruel practice that uses its skin for the fashion industry) but after the failure of this initiative, the minks were abandoned without any type of control, allowing their excessive reproduction and causing in turn a terrible environmental damage.
These predators have become the main threat to the survival of waterfowl in southern populations, especially a species native to Patagonia called "Maca tobiano", attacking eggs, chicks and adult birds.
rainbow trout (oncorhynchus mykiss)
With the intention of stimulating fishing as a sport in rivers, lagoons and lakes, rainbow trout was introduced to the country around the 40s as a tourist alternative and an opportunity for financial growth in the different provinces of Argentine Patagonia.
Thanks to this initiative, Argentina is known worldwide for this practice, to the point that there are ecological groups busy rescuing the population of this species. This is due to the fact that at the beginning the fishing was excessive, impacting the commercial benefits of several communities since it represents a high percentage of the visit of national and international tourists.
Today, fishing is only allowed with the return of all existing trout varieties in Patagonia, and in some way this has controlled the expansion of these specimens that continue to impact the native flora and fauna of Argentina , as they compete for resources with native species, even causing the disappearance of some of them, for example: the naked mojarra.
Canadian beaver (castor canadensis)
In the 40s, Argentine Antarctica witnessed the arrival of the Canadian beaver. Precisely in the region of Tierra del Fuego, this spectacular rodent was brought into the country with the expectation of promoting the growth of the area through the exploitation of leather and fur.
These beautiful and peculiar mammals are also amphibians and as a means of protection and dwelling they usually build small dams in rivers, lakes or lagoons with tree trunks that have a negative impact on the preservation of the forests of Tierra del Fuego, as well as blocking of water circulation.
Similarly, beavers represent a great threat to native aquatic fauna, generating great instability in their habitat. Unlike other invasive species in Argentina, beavers have remained only in this southern region.
red bellied squirrel (callosciurus erythraeus)
Originally from Asia, this species of squirrel was brought to Buenos Aires in the 70s for ornamental reasons. To date, it is unknown who is responsible, but they have spread throughout the country in an excessive way, adapting to various habitats (both natural and civilized).
The environmental impact of these squirrels is not limited to fighting with local species for food and space, but they have caused economic losses due to the deterioration of fruit trees, damage to irrigation hoses, breaks in the sheathing of public service cables (telephone, electricity , television, among others)
common starling (sturnus vulgaris)
At the end of the 80s, the common starling was observed for the first time in Argentina and it quickly spread throughout the national territory. This bird comes from Asia and Europe, but has adapted perfectly to the diverse microclimates of the country.
The impact on the Argentine ecosystem is basically linked to its diet, generating considerable losses in the agricultural sector, due to the fact that it is a great consumer of seeds and fruits.
As a result of the competition for food and territory with native birds, it has managed to displace species as important as horneros, which are the national bird of Argentina. Which affects the patriotic feeling of Argentines and shows a great threat to the survival of a symbol of national history.
Bullfrog (lithobates catesbeinaus)
The bullfrog was brought to Argentina in the 80s, native to North America and moved to South America with the intention of gastronomic exploitation.
However, their meat did not turn out to be very profitable and the Ministry of Health did not recommend their consumption because they are carriers of a virus that produces blood spills in the intestines. Reason why the species was released.
Their spread was rapid thanks to their ability to adapt to changes in habitat, they are specimens that reproduce easily and have great tolerance to temperatures below zero.
They constitute a devastating impact on the biodiversity of the Argentine territory, since they feed on small mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and even frogs and other amphibians, without natural predators that can control their population.
Red-eared slider sliders (trachemys scripta elegans)
Red-eared sliders are native to North America and are one of the most popular exotic pets in the Americas. While it's uncertain how long they've been present in Argentina, their population growth was evident in the 80s.
The irresponsible adoption of this species has led to its abandonment in places that have allowed its excessive reproduction, notably affecting native biodiversity, since they are predators of aquatic flora and fauna.
Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica)
It is unknown how and when exactly this species arrived on Argentine soil, however, they are known because they have caused a great impact on agriculture, affecting small producers who depend on it to survive.
It should be noted that in 2016, these cetaceans invaded the territories of Corrientes and Misiones, generating a public health alert in Argentina, because many of them are transmitters of a parasite called Strongyloides stercoralis, which is linked to the evolution of pathologies such as such as strongyloidiasis and meningitis.
It is also on the list of invasive species in Mexico , and is considered a tragic plague in the Caribbean region of South America. The impact of these species on the ecosystem, habitat, and especially on native species is considerable.
Tamarisk (tamarix)
Although it is a plant, it is one of the exotic species in Argentina from the Mediterranean Sea, it has caused a lot of damage in the habitat of Mendoza as they are located near river courses absorbing large amounts of water to develop, which causes salinization of the soil and divert irrigation from plantations.
