Campo del Arena, Catamarca, Argentina Photograph by WWF/ Manuel Nores   Southern South America: Southern Argentina, stretching northward Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   157,900 square miles (409,000 square kilometers) -- about the size of California Vulnerable

· A Blanket of Shrubland
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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A Blanket of Shrubland

The Argentine Monte is located in north-central Argentina, extending along the eastern foothills of the Andes until it reaches the Patagonian steppe, and then extends east to the Pacific Ocean. Here, thorn scrub and dry grasslands are common. This ecoregion comprises much of the driest portions of Argentina and contains parts of the Rio Negro and Rio Colorado watersheds. Despite its large size and diversity, the ecoregion has plants that seem relatively similar to each other. Several river systems meander through this area, creating sparse gallery forests.

Special Features

This arid ecoregion has cold winters and receives less than 12 inches (300 mm) of precipitation each year. "Monte" refers to woody habitat, and this ecoregion is dominated by open, low thorn scrub habitat. Jarillas, scrub trees standing under 7 feet (2 m) in height, form vast single-species stands of vegetation in some areas. Tall cardón cacti are interspersed among the jarillas on rocky slopes in the north. Thin corridors of woodlands, consisting of mesquite and chilcale trees, grow along the meandering riverbanks. There is a notable lack of seed-eating rodents and large herbivores, and most of the native wildlife is nocturnal.

	A stout rodent with a large head, the tuco-tuco is named for the sound it makes. In order to keep its fur well groomed, the animal uses the stiff bristly hairs that stick out from its hind feet as a comb.

Wild Side

Many animals go underground to escape the summer heat. Among the jarilla thickets, an endemic rodent, the Patagonian cavy--which looks like a cross between a hare and a very small deer--dashes into a burrow at the first sign of danger. Nearby, another rodent called a tuco-tuco nibbles through roots as it excavates its burrow. A burrowing owl finds shelter in an abandoned underground den, while a mataco armadillo scampers by, looking for shade. Resembling a guinea fowl, a brushland tinamou clumsily flies away as a South American fox approaches. Crested and sandy gallitos (small birds) dart about, plucking insects from scrub plants, while a rusty-backed monjita bird perches on a mesquite lookout, watching for small lizards and bugs. Nooks and crannies of the habitat often reveal abundant reptiles, including coral snakes, yarara vipers, tortoises, and various lizards such as iguanas.

Cause for Concern

Like most arid habitats, this shrubland ecoregion is classified as vulnerable. The greatest threats are from introduced species and cattle ranching. Grazing mammals remove scarce native vegetation and destroy the burrows of native wildlife, including the threatened tuco-tuco. Agricultural fields along the rivers also pose a minor threat to the ecoregion.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.