Coastal-Marine
Ría Deseado
Natural Provincial Reserve

Cover Photo ©Darío Podesta

Description

The Deseado is the only South American river that abandoned its course and gave way to the sea. Its exclusive character turns the estuary into both an aesthetic and scientific attraction. As for its fauna, it is the only place in the world where four species of cormorants coexist: the black-necked cormorant, the gray cormorant, the biguá and the imperial cormorant. The black-necked cormorant, the gray cormorant and the bigua nest in the area. Other bird species nest and feed in the area, including the Magellanic penguin, the kittiwake, the southern gull, the southern gull, the South American tern, and the black oystercatcher. It is an important feeding site for Nearctic shorebirds, such as the sea coot and the red shorebird. It is also a breeding area for the Commerson’s dolphin and a resting area for the fur seal. Artisanal and sport fishing is practiced. Tourist and recreational activities are also developed.

Geographic Location

Province

Santa Cruz

Coordinates

-47.82° Latitude S

-66.27° Longitude W

Size and Limits

Total Area:

0

Superficie de la Ría:

0

Continental Area:

0

NOTES ON SURFACE ESTIMATION
Area estimated based on the calculation of the area of the polygon represented on the map (ArcGIS PRO) with an Albers Equivalent Conic projection to preserve area calculations.

SIB reports 100 km2 of protected steppe (Read More).

Legal Aspects

Jurisdiction

Provincial

Year of Creation

2010

(in 1977 the decree 1561/77 declares the creation of the Intangible Natural Reserve)

Creation Legislation

Provincial Law 3128

Photo © Darío Podesta
Photo © Darío Podesta

Eco-regions represented

Marine

Magellanic Province
Patagonian Platform Ecoregion

Land

Patagonian Steppe Ecoregion

Conservation Objectives

The Deseado is the only South American river that abandoned its riverbed and led to it being occupied by the sea. Its uniqueness makes the estuary both an aesthetic and scientific attraction. Regarding its fauna, it is the only place in the world where four species of Cormorants coexist: Magellanic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax megellanicus), Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax olivaceus) and Imperial Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps). Also, the first three nest in the area.

It is a nesting and feeding area for several bird species. The most important ones that nest here are: Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), Dolphin gull (Larus scoresbii), South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea) and Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater). It is an important feeding site for Nearctic shorebirds, the Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) and Red Knot (Calidris canutus). Productive site for Commerson’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) and a resting site for the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens). Here there is artisanal fishing and recreational anglers. Tourist and recreational activities are also carried out here. (Padin 2007)

Colonies and stopover sites

The following table presents the colonies or stopover sites of some emblematic species of birds and marine mammals present within the MPA boundaries.

Management

Management effectiveness and evaluation year

78 % – METT Evaluation (2014)

Sources consulted:
Provincial Decree No. 1561 (1977)
GEF REPORT 2014

Bird and marine mammal colonies: See Bibliography