Project scope
Stachytarpheta fiebrigii © M. Peña Chocarro.
We surveyed plant and animal life on private land in the widely deforested Western Chaco region.
Threats to the Chaco
Until very recently, the Chaco, in particular the Western Chaco, was relatively undisturbed. In recent years, however, former extensive forests have been converted to non-forest land use (Huang et al. 2009).
At present, the estimated rate of deforestation is around 200,000 – 300,000 hectares per year (2005-2012). Land clearance for ranching is now intense, at rates often exceeding 1,000 hectares per day (Guyra Paraguay’s monthly reports). These deforestation rates are threatening several protected areas in the region which are becoming increasingly fragmented.
Results
During the three years of the project, several field trips to the participating private properties were carried out.
Fieldwork included:
- intensive botanical collections
- bird census
- taking photographs and field notes
We used these to publish two field guides, one for trees and shrubs and one for birds of the Humid Chaco. A CD containing information of all the species of birds, trees and shrubs observed in the region was also produced. Field guides and fact sheets of individual species can be generated from the CD.