Monte Desert
Monte Desert | |
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![]() Landforms result oferosionin the Monte Desert atIschigualasto,Argentina. | |
Geography | |
Country | Argentina |
TheMonte Desertis aSouth Americandesert,lying entirely withinArgentinaand covering approximately the submontane areas of Catamarca,La Rioja,San Juan,San LuisandMendozaProvinces, plus the western half ofLa Pampa Provinceand the extreme north ofRío Negro Province.The desert lies southeast of theAtacama DesertinChileandPeru,north of the largerPatagonian Desert,east of theAndesand west of theSierra de Córdoba.[1]
Geography and climate
[edit]The delineations between the Monte Desert, the Atacama Desert, and the Patagonian Desert are not exact and the desert seems to be more-or-less continuous with the other two nearby deserts. The geography of the land is very similar to that of the interior Patagonian Desert, with volcanic sediments,piedmontplains, large mountain blocks and many usually dry salt lakes. The major river is theRío Coloradoand its tributary theRío Desaguadero,which meet in the south of the region and provide its principal source of irrigation water for wine crops.
Due to the region lying on the eastern, orleeward,side of the Andes and west of the Sierra de Córdoba, it experiences very little rain. Theserain shadoweffects are the primary reason for the aridity of the region and the formation of the Monte and other nearby deserts. Although a difference between this desert and the other two deserts is the lack of intensity of effect from the cold water currents off the South American coast for the Monte Desert. This allows the desert to support a wider variety of life than the other two more extreme deserts.[2]
Flora and fauna
[edit]The flora of the region is much more diverse than the nearby Patagonian Desert (which contains mainly shrubs and grasses) and the Atacama Desert (which is pretty much devoid of life). Shrubs and grasses are not only common, but tallcactieven appear in the more hospitable areas of the desert.
The fauna of the area is also very similar to that of the Patagonian Desert, only in greater diversity and number due to the Monte's more hospitable conditions. Small mammals like mice abound and larger animals like theguanacoandburrowing owlcan be found as well.
TheWorld Wildlife Fundhas named one of their 'ecoregions' after this desert:NT0802.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Monte Desert Desert Community Ecology research team
- ^Dawson, John; Lucas, Rob.The Nature Of Plants: Habitats, Challenges, and Adaptations.2005 Timber Press.ISBN0-88192-675-2.
- ^Dellafiore, Claudia,Southern South America: Southern Argentina, stretching northward (NT0802),WWF: World Wildlife Fund,retrieved2017-04-12