Climate change impacts wetlands in Paraguay and fish species in Chile

A scientific study published in the journal Land reveals that the Ñeembucú Wetland Complex in Paraguay lost 18.10% of its permanent water cover between 1985 and 2023. This loss accounts for approximately 148,882 hectares. Researchers attribute this degradation to a “climate pincer,” involving prolonged droughts and a steady temperature increase of 0.028°C per year. The drying of these wetlands has also increased vulnerability to mechanized agriculture, which has modified the region's water balance.

In a separate study published in Fisheries Oceanography, researchers project that climate change will shift the distribution of four key species for artisanal fishing in northern Patagonia by 2050. These species include the southern sardine, golden conger, jack mackerel, and southern hake. The golden conger is identified as the most vulnerable, with a potential habitat reduction of up to 28% under severe climate scenarios. Shifts of 10 to 21 kilometers could force artisanal fishing vessels to travel further, increasing fuel consumption and altering resource availability.