ECOSYSTEM SERVICES WITHIN A KEY SUBTROPICAL REGION AFFECTED BY THE YACYRETA DAM IN PARAGUAY

Abstract

One of the most striking features of the ecosystem concept is that their
components, through natural structures and processes, render ecological functions,
which are valued by society. The objective of this research was to identify and
describe ecosystem services provided by the Natural Reserve Yacyretá, in
accordance with the goal of Paraguay’s National Law Nº 3,001 of 2006 of
conservation, protection, recovery and sustainable development of national natural
resources and biological diversity through fair, timely and adequate valuation and
payment for ecosystem services. The study was conducted during an environmental
monitoring campaign in October 2016 in the reserve, using an ecosystem services
checklist constructed based on the classification provided by The Economics of
Ecosystems and Biodiversity. This reserve is part of the conservation, protection
and compensation actions carried out by the Yacyretá Binational Entity in the area
of influence of the dam constructed between Paraguay and Argentina for the
Hydroelectric Power Station Yacyretá. Its purpose is the protection of ecosystems,
communities of biological elements that, due to their rareness, fragility, importance
or singularity deserve a special assessment. This reserve has a high
representativeness of the resources of the Ñeembucú eco-region, and the presence
of two ecosystems scarcely represented in Paraguay, such as forests of arary
(Callophyllum brasiliense) and a small formation of vegetated dunes. The reserve
provides all four categories of ecosystem services, directly and indirectly. These
results will be practical for stablishing conservation strategies to update its
management plan and assess access to the system of valuation and payment for
ecosystem services.