NATURAL RESOURCES
Landscapes, flora and fauna
One of the most important reasons to design this area as a National Park was the singular geological formation situated in the north centre of the Hills, called Potrero de la Aguada. There is huge natural amphitheatre surrounded by abrupt walls made by sand and red “aglomerado”, where the erosion designs very original figures. There is a flora that is adapted to singular environmental conditions of the place, like dryer and erosion. An example of this group of vegetation is the “chica”, little tree typical of the Gran Cuyo that grows slowly and has a very strong wood. In that area there is vegetation composed by bushes like “jarilla”, “garabato”, “brea” and many cactus like “tunas”, “cardoncitos” and “puquis”. The environment receives contributions from the Chaco, like “quebracho blanco”, “algarrobo” and “espinillo”. In the west side of Sierras de las Quijadas runs Desaguadero River, which has created a vast flood plain, where grow “bosquecillos de chañar” and plants that tolerates salty ambient –called “halofitas”-.
In the area live “guanacos”, “pecaries de collar”, “conejos de los palos”, “maras” and pumas. Also the fauna of the Park contains many species that requires protection, like the “tortuga terrestre comun”, “halcon peregrino”, “aguila coronada”, “pichiciego menor”, “cardenal amarillo” and “reinamora”.
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