Distribution and limits of the ecoregions of the north-central province of Santa Fe based on the presence of forest types.

Abstract

The geographical limits of the Chaco Húmedo, Chaco Seco and Espinal ecoregions are proposed for the north-central province of Santa Fe. The delimitation was based on locations of the main different forest-type formations: algarrobales, quebrachales, quebrachales of three quebrachos and mixed forests derived from GPS surveys and to locations derived from the Map of Territorial Planing of Native Forests. The location of the forests was linked to hexagonal cells 2.5 km long and wide within a grid that covered the entire analyzed area. With the cells that marked the presence of each forest class their distribution area was estimated by applying the convex envelope algorithm. The boundaries were proposed interpreting the distribution of forest classes along with field infor- mation and floristic analysis. The information generated will orient fieldwork to obtain more details of the vegetation in the bordering areas.