Biomes / Ecosystems of Argentina

Argentina is the second largest country in South America after Brazil and the eighth largest country in the world. With the Andes forming its western border with Chile, the country's varied geography can be grouped into five geographic regions or sectors and seven natural regions or ecosystems.

Resting amidst the rugged slopes on both flanks of the Andes Mountains in southern South America, the Andean Patagonian Forest, known as Bosque Andino Patagónico, serves as a testament to the remarkable beauty and ecological abundance present in this distinctive temperate woodland. Spanning areas in southern Chile and Argentina, it claims the title of the southernmost forest on our planet.

The Atlantic Forest, known as Mata Atlântica, is a verdant treasure trove of biodiversity stretching along Brazil's eastern and southeastern coast and into Argentina and Paraguay. Although reduced from its original expanse, this sprawling natural region remains one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, second only to the Amazon Rainforest. Home to major cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the Atlantic Forest also provides a habitat for over 148 million people.

The Gran Chaco, or simply Chaco, is a large and intriguing region in eastern Bolivia, western Paraguay, northern Argentina, and a small section of Brazil. It is an alluvial plain with diverse ecosystems, including South America's second-largest forest after the Amazon. There are two main ecoregions, the Humid Chaco and the Dry Chaco, which differ in climate, vegetation, and ecology.

The Pampas, a vast and fertile lowland plain region in South America, unfolds like a natural canvas from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains. This flat, fertile grassland region is of ecological diversity and cultural significance. It can be divided into three distinct ecoregions: the Uruguayan Savanna, the Humid Pampas and the Semiarid Pampas.

The Magellanic Steppe is a distinctive biome within the broader Patagonian Desert, characterized by its unique vegetation and landscape features. It is named after the famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who navigated the region during the early 16th century. This steppe is a significant component of the arid Patagonian ecosystem, stretching across southern Argentina and Chile.

The Puna, a high-elevation grassland region in the Central Andes, spans northern Peru, western Bolivia, and northern Chile and Argentina. It encompasses diverse sub-ecoregions, including the Wet Puna, the Central Andean Puna, and the Dry Puna along the Cordillera Occidental. This high-elevation grassland region faces challenges such as climate change and habitat loss, necessitating conservation efforts for its unique biodiversity.

The Yungas, an Aymara term meaning "Warm Lands," unveils a remarkable subtropical forest belt along the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, spanning Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. This unique natural region is a transitional zone, linking the Andean highlands to the lush eastern forests, creating a haven for biodiversity amidst its humid, subtropical climate.