Resource use in the Parana River Delta (Argentina): moving away from an ecohydrological approach?

The Parana Delta region is a huge mosaic of wetlands exhibiting rich biodiversity highly adapted to annual hydrological cycles. In the last decade, however, flow patterns have changed due to the combined effect of dam regulation in the upper basin, waterway construction, new road infrastructure, and climate changes. Such changes triggered new strategies for cattle, fisheries, wildlife and forestry uses with associated landscape modifications and are directed to transform the Delta into a productive dryland area. Such vision fails to envision the value of wetland benefits and environmental services and how traditional resource management can be more sustainable in the long term. We conclude that an ecohydrological template is needed to guide future development, where economic, social and environmental factors should be harmonized.