Hydrological significance of rock glaciers and other periglacial landforms as sustenance of wet meadows in the Patagonian Andes

Wet meadows in mountainous areas are important environments for the ecosystem services provided, mainly those associated with the water supply to local people. In the region of the Patagonian Andes wet meadows are spatially associated with rock glaciers and other related periglacial landforms. The aim of this work was to determine the hydrological significance of these geoforms as sustenance of wet meadows in La Hoya watershed, located in Northern Patagonian Andes. We carried out a geomorphological mapping of the depositional units, wetlands, springs and streams located in the area. During fieldwork, we checked and completed this information, together with sedimentological analysis of the morphosedimentary units and hydrodynamic and salinity measurements on streams and springs. Finally, we performed hydrogeological schemes to outline the geological and geomorphological controls regulating water flows and the development of wet meadows. Results obtained show a constant flow from rock glaciers and solifluction lobes towards wet meadows during the driest period. The principal contribution of water comes from snowmelt and rain, constituting a short and intermediate-term water input. Rock glaciers and solifluction lobes constitute effective water storage depositional units, and the groundwater discharged from these landforms is constant, even during the dry season, which keeps wet meadows moist and evergreen year-round.Fil: Reato, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Carol, Eleonora Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; ArgentinaFil: Cottescu Szeraws, Alexander Nicolas Christian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Oscar Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias de la Salud - Sede Esquel. Departamento de Química; Argentin