Colonia Benitez Educative Reserve

GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE AREA

The protected area has a seven hectares surface and is located in Chaco province. The Colonia Benitez Educative Reserve protects a sample of the Chaco Oriental scrubland. It was created as a Natural Strict Reserve in 1990 and turn into Educative Reserve in 2002. RE Colonia Benitez (Colonia Benitez Educative Reserve) has two sectors: the Clausura Schulz and the Quebrachal . The Clausura Schulz has a seven hectares surface and it is located in the lot number 24. The Quebrachal has one hectare surface and it is located in the lot number 36. Both of them are into the INTA Experimental Station.
The region hed been protected by Augusto Schulz, who made a list with all the protected area's species. This work is very popular in Chaco province. The Colonia Benitez City was declared botanical capital of Chaco province and Augusto Schulz was prize-winning with the “honoris causa” title. The protected area belongs to the “ Esteros, Cañadas y Selvas de Ribera” region. The climate is wet, and there are scant winter rains. During the warmer month, the media temperature is 22ºC, and the region annual media temperature is 18ºC.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Physiognomic unitsThere are the following physiognomic units: Bank jungle: it has a three hectares surface, and it has forest adenoids. Strong scrubland: it has a two hectares surface. There are “quebrachos”, prickly shrubs, and flooded land. Swamp: it has a two hectares surface. It is adjacent to the bank jungle. Its main specie is the “ ciperácea” . Flora The most important trees of the region are the “espina corona”, the “Francisco Alvarez”, the “lapacho”, and the “ombú”. The forest is cover by big “chaguares”. The red orchids are predominant.
Fauna In the native forest there are a lot of wild birds, such as the “picaflor”, the “boyero ala amarilla”, and the toucan. The toucan inhabits the Educative Reserve in little groups.

CONSERVATION GOALS

Nowadays, RE Colonia Benitez (Colonia Benitez Educative Reserve) is based on the following conservation goals:s- To protect a representative sample of the bank ecosystems with a high scientific interest. - To restore and protect a little sector of the “quebracho colorado chaqueño” scrubland. -To offer a natural space for the argentinian northwest environmental education. -To transmit the protected areas values.
WALKS AND SERVICES The public access to the educative reserve is restricted. Scientific studies and school visits are allowed (if you have the Administración de Parques Nacionales permission) . It is recommended to ask for more information at the Chaco National Park.