Present and Problematic

The Paraguayan Chaco, 81,713 ha were lost in 2004, reaching 398,788 ha in 2011 (an increase of 388%) with the most affected zone being the Dry Chaco forests (98% of the habitat lost). During that same eight-year period, a total of 2,102,219 million ha of natural vegetative cover were lost, with an average rate of change of 262,777 ha/year. Furthermore, natural habitat loss between 2008 and 2009 increased at an alarming rate of 145% (279,206 hectares, the highest in two consecutive years since 2004) (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Terra-i land use change detection map, zoomed on deforestation hotspots (red dots) in Paraguay. Right, annual rate of habitat loss and accumulated loss for both Paraguayan Chaco eco-regions and national territory.

The Park Defensores del Chaco, is one of the most most important, not only for its size but also for its history, being one of the first national protected areas in Paraguay and also the territory of the Ayoreo indigenous tribe. Terra-i hasn’t yet detected any anthropogenic habitat loss in this NP (Figure 1) but it has been subject to strong habitat change pressure in the buffer area, mainly due to cattle raising activities (Figure 2).

Fgure 2. The initial steps for habitat loss in protected zones: Growing disturbances (roads) around buffer zones of Defensores del Chaco National Park, Paraguay. Imagery from Landsat

Going beyond the Terra-i data, the main driver for Paraguayan Chaco habitat change is agricultural land expansion driven by population growth, land colonization, cattle raising, agricultural activities and a near absence of land-use control. According to the data the landscape is experiencing worrying amounts of change – a progressing challenge despite the existence of institutional and legal frameworks put in place to protect forests such as the National Environmental Policy, the Zero Deforestation Law (2004),the Forestry Law, and minority communities’ rights. However,  the institutional framework remains weak and the region lacks  institutional coordination and adequate land use planning.

Description

 This park is the country’s largest conservation area, covering an area of 720,000 hectares.  It is the platform site for the Paraguayan Chaco Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO in 2005. The name “Defensores del Chaco” (Defenders of the Chaco) is in memory of the soldiers who fought in the Chaco War against Bolivia; also, for nature lovers it could have another meaning such as “Defenders of Nature of the Chaco."  Until the end of the 19th Century, this was the land of indigenous people who inhabited and baptized the area Chaco, word derived from the Quechua language word chacu which means hunting place.

   In addition to protecting an excellent sample of the Dry Chaco Ecoregion, with its low, thorn forests, the national park preserves the mountainous region of Cerro Leon (Lion Hill). It is a unique geological feature on the Gran Chaco Plain. It is really a small mountain formation of numerous hills with a 22-kilometer diameter and a maximum height of 604 meters above sea level. The mountain stream ravines are also unique in the Chaco.     

  In addition to protecting an excellent sample of the Dry Chaco Ecoregion, with its low, thorn forests, the national park preserves the mountainous region of Cerro Leon (Lion Hill). It is a unique geological feature on the Gran Chaco Plain. It is really a small mountain formation of numerous hills with a 22-kilometer diameter and a maximum height of 604 meters above sea level. The mountain stream ravines are also unique in the Chaco.              

Recreational Services

The park guarantees the preservation of ecological and evolutionary communities in different natural processes and the maintenance of viable populations of species considered endangered. Globally considered as a priority conservation of tropical dry forests.

Infrastructure within the National Park includes guest accommodation, a Biological Station and the main base for park rangers. 

The departure of the trip is Philadelphia. The Cerro León is located at a distance of 263 km from Philadelphia.

For this trip should be calculated at least three days (two nights).

It is only possible with 4x4 truck (3 people) or 4x4 minibus (6)

Accommodation: Tents (to carry and lift in the camp at the foot of Cerro León)

Recommended activities:
- Hiking trails.
- Observation of wildlife and native plants.
- Photographs
- Bonfire night

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (stew) and dinner (roast).

Flora and Fauna

Defensores del Chaco National Park

1,927,380 acres (780,000 ha)
  
Species Protected: Puma, Jaguar, Lowland Tapir, White Lipped Peccary, Collared Peccary, Night monkey, Giant Armadillo, Capped Heron, Whistling Heron, Brown Tinamou, Quebracho Crested Tinamou.

Flora

The Chaco National Park presents a representative biodiversity of the Chaco region and a good representation of what exists nationwide. The park has 8 plant communities as seasonally saturated dense semi-deciduous forest (BDSES) xerofítico dense humid semi-deciduous forest (BXDSSH), open xeromorphic Semi-deciduous forest (BXAS), xerophytic open semideciduous forest humid (BXASSH), Savannah hoisted of periodic flooding (SAIP), xeromorphic Thicket semideciduo (MXS), permanent hydromorphic vegetation (VHP) and Cliffs with herbaceous vegetation (AVH)

PLANT COMMUNITIES	Number of species	Percentage of species	Coverage Area (ha)	Percent Coverage
Wooded savanna periodic flooding	11	4.2	2.937	0.40
Hydromorphic permanent vegetation	26	9.8	706	0.10
Cliffs with herbaceous vegetation	-	-	2.130	0.30
Forest open xeromorphic semideciduo	108	41	181.220	25.13
Humid semi-deciduous forest open xerofítico	90	34.1	325.878	45
Semideciduo xeromorphic Thicket	100	37.9	46.694	6.47
Xerofítico dense humid semi-deciduous forest	63	23.9	65.619	9.10
Xerofítico dense humid semi-deciduous forest	110	41.7	95.950	13.30
TOTAL	264	-	721.134	100

Plant communities of the Park and floristic diversity

The most urgent conservation are Amburana cearensis (clover), considered endangered and Bulnesia sarmientoi (lignum), which is being harvested unsustainably.

Bulnesia sarmientoi

Amburana cearensis

Importance

One of the last great wilderness under threat

Designated as a National Park in 1975, this vast area protects the heart of the Grand Chaco. It contains vegetation and wildlife typical of the larger area, and importantly is at the scale to enable protection of viable populations of numerous important plant and animal species. The vegetation is adapted to the dry climate, with mainly low forests and scrub-like bushes, including many species of cactus and the Quebracho, or ‘Drunken Tree’, which stores water in its bulbous trunk.

At the centre of the National Park lies Cerro Leon, a unique formation of hills covering over 40km and including Paraguay's second highest peak at around 600m high. This site is of particular importance to the local indigenous people and of key interest for tourists.

Indigenous Ayoreo people live inside and use the National Park, including those who live a traditional lifestyle in voluntary isolation from the outside world. For the Ayoreo people the protection of Defensores del Chaco National Park is critical for them to continue their way of life.

Location