Current Conservation Status of Los Glaciares National Park

The Perito Moreno Glacier, Climate Change, and the Onset of Retreat

The Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers in the world considered stable for decades, is known for its natural cycle of advances and retreats, which create the phenomenon of the rupture of its ice dam over Lake Argentino. However, recent studies have identified signs of retreat on its northern front, suggesting that even the most resilient glaciers are not exempt from the effects of climate change.

Observed Impacts

1. Global Temperature and Glacier Retreat

• The sustained increase in global temperatures, particularly in the Patagonian region, has accelerated the melting of glaciers throughout the park.
• According to climate studies, Patagonia’s glaciers have experienced significant mass loss, with one-third of them reaching their historical maximum reduction.

2. Modification of the North Front

• While the southern front of Perito Moreno still shows relatively stable patterns, the northern front has begun to lose consistency, suggesting a gradual change in its internal dynamics.

3. Accelerated Melting and Feedback

• The melting ice exposes darker surfaces (rocks or liquid water), which absorb more solar radiation, amplifying local warming and accelerating the retreat process.

Factors Contributing to the Retreat

1. Increase in Air Temperature

• Climatic records show that average temperatures in the region have risen between 1°C and 1.5°C over the past 50 years.
• This change particularly affects low-altitude glaciers, where the balance between snow accumulation and melting is more fragile.

2. Changes in Precipitation

• Climate change has altered precipitation patterns in Patagonia, with a decrease in snowfall in the southern Andes region. This directly impacts the glaciers’ ability to regenerate.

3. Impact of Ocean Warming

• The South Atlantic Ocean has experienced gradual warming, influencing the region’s climatic dynamics. This phenomenon may be related to the reduction of glacier masses in the Patagonian Andes.

Importance of the Perito Moreno Glacier

1. Climate Regulator and Water Source

• Glaciers act as freshwater reserves that regulate the flow of rivers and lakes in the region. Uncontrolled melting could lead to a significant decrease in these reserves, impacting ecosystems and human communities.

2. Tourist and Economic Attraction

• The Perito Moreno Glacier is a symbol of tourism in Argentina, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Its retreat could affect both tourism and global awareness of the impacts of climate change.

3. Climate Change Indicator

• As a relatively stable glacier for decades, Perito Moreno is considered a natural thermometer of the state of climate change. Its current retreat sends a clear message about the urgency of implementing global measures to mitigate global warming.

Future of the Glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park

The fate of the Perito Moreno Glacier and the other glaciers in the park lies not only in global efforts to combat climate change but also in the actions we take collectively as tourists, locals, tour operators, national park authorities, municipalities, provinces, and the national government.

Our Responsibility as Individuals:

• Raise tourist awareness: Encourage responsible practices, respecting environmental regulations, minimizing our carbon footprint, and promoting sustainable tourism.
• Locals and tour operators: Implementing and promoting activities that respect the environment, reducing the impact of tourist operations in sensitive areas.

Conservation Status of Fauna in Los Glaciares National Park

In Los Glaciares National Park, several species face serious risks due to a combination of threats: habitat loss, climate change, poaching, the introduction of invasive species, and alterations to local ecosystems. These threats endanger the unique biodiversity of this region, especially in such a fragile environment as southern Patagonia.

Huemul

Hippocamelus bisulcus

Conservation Status

Critically endangered (IUCN).

Description

This deer, endemic to the southern Andes of Argentina and Chile, is an Argentine national symbol. It is robust, with thick brown fur that protects it from the Patagonian cold.

Threats

Habitat loss: The fragmentation of native lenga and ñire forests reduces its feeding and sheltering areas.
Poaching: Despite its protected status, it remains a victim of illegal hunting.
Competition and diseases: Domestic livestock competes for food and can transmit diseases.

Macá Tobiano

Podiceps gallardoi

Conservation Status

Critically endangered.

Description

This small aquatic bird is endemic to high-altitude lagoons in southern Patagonia, particularly in Santa Cruz. Its black and white plumage makes it unmistakable, and its habitat is limited to freshwater ecosystems.

Threats

Invasive species: The introduction of the American mink, an aggressive predator, and exotic fish that compete for native food.
Climate change: Lower water levels in lagoons affect its reproduction.
Habitat alteration: Human activities near lagoons can disturb its nesting areas.

Cóndor Andino

Vultur gryphus

Conservation Status

Near threatened, with vulnerable local populations.

Description

It is the largest flying bird in the world, with a wingspan of up to 3 meters. It mainly inhabits mountainous and open areas where it finds air currents to soar.

Threats

Poisoning: It is often a victim of toxic baits aimed at predators such as foxes and pumas.
Poaching: Although protected, it is still hunted due to superstitions and conflicts with ranchers.
Decreased carrion: The reduction in wild animals limits its primary food source.

Liebre Mara

Dolichotis patagonum

Conservation Status

Endangered.

Description

This mammal, endemic to Argentina and also known as the Patagonian mara, resembles a large rodent with long legs and prominent ears. It is a fast runner and prefers open, semi-arid areas.

Threats

Habitat loss: The expansion of agriculture and livestock reduces the natural areas it needs to survive.
Illegal hunting: It is often hunted for its meat and skin, even though it is protected.
Competition: It is displaced by introduced species like the European hare, which competes for food and space.

Magellanic Woodpecker

Campephilus magellanicus

Conservation Status

Vulnerable.

Description

The largest woodpecker in South America relies on lenga and ñire forests to nest and find food, primarily larvae and insects.

Threats

Deforestation: Illegal logging and forest fires destroy the trees it uses for living.
Habitat Fragmentation: Forests are increasingly disconnected, making it difficult to reproduce and find food.

Fun Fact:

Lichens are biological indicators of air purity

In Los Glaciares National Park, lichens play a key role in the ecosystem due to their resilience and adaptability. These organisms are exceptional biological indicators because their growth is closely tied to air purity. This means they thrive in places with very low pollution, such as the park, where the air is exceptionally clean and environmental pollution levels are minimal.

Key aspects of lichens in Los Glaciares National Park

1. Species diversity:

The park hosts various forms of lichens, such as crustose (flat and adhered to surfaces like rocks), foliose (leaf-like), and fruticose (with branched structures).

2. Ecological role:

• They contribute to soil formation by slowly breaking down rocks.
• They serve as food for certain animals, though their nutritional value is limited.
• They help maintain the balance of local ecosystems by participating in nutrient cycles.

3. Adaptations to extreme climates:

Lichens are perfectly adapted to the park’s cold and windy climate. They can survive in conditions of low temperature, scarce humidity, and intense solar radiation, common traits of the glacier region.

Why do they grow in low-pollution areas?

Lichens are extremely sensitive to pollutants, especially sulfur dioxide and other chemical compounds in the atmosphere. In polluted environments, lichens lose their ability to perform vital functions and die. Therefore, their presence in Los Glaciares National Park is an indicator of the region’s excellent air quality—a pristine environment where these organisms can thrive without significant human interference.