Mar Chiquita (literally the “little sea”) is one of the most extensive and interesting saline wetlands in South America and the world. Its ecological value and importance to shorebirds was recognized early on in WHSRN’s history, when this site was declared as a WHSRN Site of Hemispheric Importance in May 1989, becoming the first WHSRN site in Argentina and one of the first sites in South America.
This year, Mar Chiquita celebrated its 30th anniversary as a WHSRN site, and in a happy coincidence, a new book about the site was published in English this year as well, titled The Mar Chiquita Salt Lake (Córdoba, Argentina). Ecology and Conservation of the Largest Salt Lake in South America. These two events share a common thread: the person behind them. Dr. Enrique Bucher is the author of the recently published book, and he was one of the main drivers behind the designation of Mar Chiquita as a WHSRN site. Since then, he has actively participated in the initiative, and is currently a Councilor Emeritus on the WHSRN Hemisphere Council.
Dr. Enrique Bucher presents at the WHSRN designation celebration at Laguna Mar Chiquita, March 1992. Photos courtesy of Dr. Enrique Bucher.
With extensive experience in the region, gained over years of working at the site, Dr. Bucher knows Mar Chiquita as few others do. Over the last 15 years, much of his work has focused on Laguna Mar Chiquita and the Río Dulce wetlands. As part of this work, he established the Mar Chiquita Biological Station (under the Center for Applied Zoology at the National University of Córdoba), home of the PROMAR program, which he directs. PROMAR is a research and extension program whose main objective is to promote the conservation and sustainable development of Mar Chiquita.
Dr. Enrique Bucher, author of the recently published book on Mar Chiquita Lake, with Marcela Castellino, the author of this article, who is the newest member of the WHSRN Executive Office team. The two have worked together for many years. Dr. Bucher was Marcela’s advisor during studies on the limnology of the Mar Chiquita Lake and later in studies on the ecology of Wilson’s Phalarope in non-breeding areas of Argentina. Photo courtesy of Marcela Castellino.
Although Mar Chiquita is among the world’s largest saline lakes, it is still very poorly known outside of Argentina. This is largely due to the scarcity of scientific literature published in English about the site. This void has started to be filled in recent years, and the publication of Dr. Bucher’s new book marks enormous progress towards this end. Although the work is aimed at researchers and specialists in the different fields addressed in the book, its layout and writing style are designed to make it accessible to the general public. The book has 13 chapters that integrate knowledge gathered to date about Mar Chiquita and the Río Dulce wetlands, ranging from perspectives of geography, geology, and history to information about biodiversity and current conservation problems facing the region.
The Mar Chiquita Salt Lake (Córdoba, Argentina). Ecology and Conservation of the Largest Salt Lake in South America by Enrique Bucher.
As detailed in Chapter 7 of the book, about the birds of Mar Chiquita, the site is one of the most important interior wetlands in South America in terms of shorebird diversity and abundance. To date, 30 species of shorebirds have been recorded at the site. Although populations can vary significantly between years, the most common shorebirds in the region include Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) and White-backed Stilt (Himantopus melanurus) among resident species, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca and T. flavipes), White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis), and Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) among Nearctic migratory species, and Two-banded Plover (Charadrius falklandicus) and Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis) among austral migrants.
Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor (left) and Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca (right) at Laguna Mar Chiquita. Photos: Martin Meurzet.
Mar Chiquita is not exempt from the threats that saline lakes are facing around the world. Its protection is critical not just because of the enormous number of birds that it sustains as an individual site, but also because the ecological maintenance of this delicate network sustains life throughout the Americas. The publication of this book in English comes at an excellent time: a moment in which partners at Mar Chiquita are working to achieve the declaration of the site as a National Park, a category that would provide greater guarantees for its protection.
Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus (left) and White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus (right) at Laguna Mar Chiquita. Photos: Martin Meurzet.
To have an updated and comprehensive compilation of available information on Mar Chiquita published in English is a tremendous contribution that will help with current efforts to conserve the area and connect Mar Chiquita with other sites, strengthening the network of saline lakes across the Americas.
To read a free preview or purchase the e-book, visit: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030158118
To find free downloads of several chapters from the original version of the book in Spanish, published in 2006, visit: http://www.promarmarchiquita.com.ar/contenidos/publicaciones-29
About the Author of the new book
The Mar Chiquita Salt Lake (Córdoba, Argentina)
Ecology and Conservation of the Largest Salt Lake in South America
Dr. Enrique Bucher is a biologist and Professor Emeritus of the National University of Córdoba, senior researcher of the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) of Argentina, and director of PROMAR. His main research objectives include the ecology and management of semi-arid regions in South America. He is a member of the Argentine Academy of Sciences, the British Ornithological Union and the American Ornithological Union, and is an honorary member of the American Ecological Society.
Cover Photo: Shorebirds and flamingos on Mar Chiquita Salt Lake. Photo: Miguel Durando.
