Inter-cultural field trip

Within the project “Stablishment and dispersion of exotic anadromous salmonids in Southern Patagonia freshwater watersheds” (director M. Pascual) we organized a field trip through southern Argentinean Patagonia. The main goal of this trip was to improve our knowledge about aquatic systems and their community composition through an integrated view of our freshwater ecosystems.

Both, GESA members (Miguel Pascual, Carla Riva Rossi, Martin García Asorey, Javier Ciancio y Ana Laura Liberoff) and researchers from other countries took part of this adventure. They were: Tom Quinn, George Pess, Stephanie Carlson, and Philip Roni from the US, Martin Unwin from New Zeland and Eduardo Aedo from Chile. After hard workdays in the river, Roberto “Boby” Taylor (CENPAT-CONICET) took care of us, cooking tasty and nutricious meals and driving us around.

We visited Tierra del Fuego rivers, and the Gallegos and Santa Cruz Rivers. Sampling included macroinvertebrates  and primary production, physical and chemical variables as well as the composition of the fish community.

Besides the great scientific value of this trip, it will remain for ever in our memories as a unique experience through which we shared knowledge, fun, and very special moments.