Sierras de Uspallata (AR-USP)
Description:
The pilot site Sierras de Uspallata is situated in the homonymous mountain range on the of the Andes foothills (Precordillera), in the northern part of the Mendoza Province, Argentina. The area lies at the southern limit of the Phytogeographic Province of the Puna. At this latitude, the Precordillera ranges between 2,000 and 3,450 meters above sea level (masl), with smooth-looking peaks. The landscape is characterized by grasslands dominated by Stipeae and Festuca spp. The soils on the summits are subject to occasional and seasonal freezing.
The site was established between December 2024 and February 2025. Technical and logistical support for the installation and monitoring of the site is provided by the Villavicencio Natural Reserve.
Location:
The site is located in the Sierras de Uspallata, Mendoza Province, Argentina (-32.61773; -69.14490). The summits ROB, OXA, and MDP are within the Villavicencio Natural Reserve (a privately protected natural area and RAMSAR site conserving approximately 60,654 hectares).
Summits:
– Robertos (ROB) 3,010 masl
– Oxalis Amarillas (OXA) 3,146 masl
– Martín de los Pumas (MDP) 3,297 masl
– Bonilla (BON) 3,442 masl
Responsible Institution: Argentine Institute of Snow Research, Glaciology, and Environmental Sciences (IANIGLA) — CONICET
(ianigla.conicet.gov.ar)
Site Coordination: Agustina Barros, Valeria Aschero
Database Management: Agustina Barros, Valeria Aschero, Bruno Alzugaray
Botanist/Taxonomist: Bruno Alzugaray, Lorena Bonjour
Researchers:
– Bruno Alzugaray, Doctoral Fellow (IANIGLA-CONICET)
balzugaray@mendoza-conicet.gob.ar; pibasgloria@gmail.com
– Valeria Aschero, Researcher (IANIGLA-CONICET)
vaschero@mendoza-conicet.gob.ar
– María Alisa Álvarez, Post-Doctoral Fellow (IANIGLA-CONICET)
maalvarez@mendoza-conicet.gob.ar
– Lorena Bonjour, Support Professional (IADIZA-CONICET)
lbonjour@mendoza-conicet.gob.ar
– Agustina Barros, Researcher (IANIGLA-CONICET)
anaagustinabarros@gmail.com>
Site Photo Gallery:
Summit | Richness* | Cover** | Dominant species | Vegetation Belt and Physiognomy |
ROB (3.010 msnm)
| 23 | 13,4 % | Festuca aff acanthophylla (55,4 %), Ephedra aff chilensis (18,0 %) Nassauvia axillaris (11,3 %) | Montane / Subalpine Ecotone |
OXA (3.146 msnm)
| 23 | 12,1 % | Mulguraea asparagoides (28,7 %) Pappostipa ameghinoi (19,1 %) Nassella paramilloensis (18,7 %) | Subalpine |
MDP (3.297 msnm)
| 28 |
12,6 % | Pappostipa speciosa (33,8 %) Ephedra aff chilensis (17,7 %) Adesmia echinus (15,4 %) P. ameghinoi (14,5 %) | Subalpine |
BON (3.442 msnm)
| 33 | 12,9 % | Pappostipa ameghinoi (30,8 %) Pappostipa ruiz-lealli (30,7 %) Adesmia echinus (10,5 %) | Alpine |
*Total number of vascular plant species (includes all summit sections)
** Total coverage of vascular plants in 16 plots of 1m²
No temperature data