State of emergency in northern Argentina: fires that threaten the preservation of the Yaboti Natural Reserve

High temperatures and extreme droughts resulted in fires in different areas of northern Argentina. This alarming situation has consumed 100 hectares of Misiones jungle, therefore it is imperative to put out the fire before it spreads uncontrollably.

The initial outbreak originated in the Yaboti Biosphere Reserve, the flames without dominance generated 12 new outbreaks in the southern and central area of Misiones. The 220,000-hectare Yaboti Nature Reserve was created and recognized in 1993 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The main concern is that this area is one of the last hectares of native forest, a survivor of deforestation and loss of forests.

Although fires in the misionera jungle are not frequent, unlike fields and grasslands, it is not the first time that this has occurred. The humidity of the jungle (much higher than other forestations) makes it difficult for the flames to spread as it happened, which is why it is suspected that the extreme drought has been added to a possible intentional focus.

Once again, the alerts are lit by this situation that affects entire areas due to the spread of fire over different natural spaces.

Misiones, the last spot of Argentine jungle

The seriousness of these fires lies in the fact that the last great portion of the jungle that Argentina has is located in Misiones. It is estimated that approximately one million hectares of native forest persist in the northeastern Argentine province, the largest biodiversity reserve, with about 300 species of plants and trees (pines and eucalyptus) and 500 species of birds. Additionally, it is one of the main regions where the jaguar (a species in danger of extinction) survives.

All the aforementioned data make the misionera jungle the last ecosystem of these characteristics, outside the jungle of the Yungas ecoregion. This region (Yungas) that extends between the north of Argentina and Bolivia, has been devastated by deforestation, mainly due to the production of crops such as soybeans.

The importance of this type of ecosystem and its preservation is key to mitigating the socio-environmental consequences of climate change, while guaranteeing phenomena such as the regulation of humidity and the rain cycle, among others.