Polo de Ecología Fluvial, CENUR Litoral Norte - Sede Paysandú, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
POLO DE DESARROLLO UNIVERSITARIO (PDU)

The "Polo de Ecología Fluvial" or Fluvial Ecology Group is dedicated to research and education in watershed ecology, riparian ecosystems, fish behavior and fisheries management in the context of increasing anthropogenic impacts and climate variability.  We also have a series of extension projects dedicated to monitoring urban streams in collaboration with gov't entities as well as addressing the social inclusion and organization of artisanal fishers in Littoral Uruguay.

The Polo of Fluvial Ecology is part of the Department of Water, providing an ecological perspective on streams and riparian ecosystems to the Department's focus on hydrology, hydrogeology, hydraulic engineering, and water management in agricultural landscapes. 

Research

1. Continuous monitoring of water quality in streams feeding a National Protected Area in Uruguay.
We monitor two key factors influencing available fish habitat for reproduction, growth and survival: Temperature and Dissolved oxygen using a small network of sensors in the Queguay River Basin.  The objective of this study is to understand the spatial and temporal variability in key parameters for migratory fishes in a watershed in Littoral Uruguay.  Collaboration: SNAP-UdelaR with support from the Intendencia of the Department of Paysandú.

2. Dendrochronology as a tool for understanding historical climate and net streamflow of rivers in Uruguay.
In collaboration with Chile and the Laboratory of Wood in Rivera, we are developing some of the first chronologies based on tree ring growth of native species.  The goal of this research, in addition to providing baseline data on incremental growth rates of common species in Uruguayan forests, is to understand the relationship between net annual productivity and climate, as well as the relationship between tree growth and streamflow.  Given the abscence of streamflow data for most rivers in Uruguay prior to 1980, these data could help reconstruct past streamflow data.

3. Telemetry of Salminus spp. in the Uruguay River
In collaboration with researchers in Argentina (CONICET) and Brasil (Consultoria Neotropical), we will be starting an approved proposal to study the migratory patterns of the Salminus spp. above and below the Salta dam on the Uruguay River between Uruguay and Argentina.  The study will contribute evidence to the migratory patterns of this species, whether or not they use adjacent tributaries, and how their movement varies over time and space.  The project will be funded by la CARU (Comisión Adminsitradora del Río Uruguay).

4. Ecological integrity of Riparian Forests
Master's Student César Justo is studying how we define degradation or integrity for riparian forests in Uruguay.  We are examining what parameters might be considered for an integrity index and what spatial factors might influence differences in forest condition.  The study is funded by ANII and UNIQUE (Germany).

Water-quality monitoring in the Queguay River Basin in sub-basins that feed into Uruguay's largest protected area of riparian forests.  Collaboration: SNAP - Intendencia Paysandu.

Student training in water quality monitoring in the San Antonio Basin. Lic. Ciencias Hidricas Aplicadas.

Collection of smaples for dendrochronology with students from UTU Escuela Agraria in Guichón.