GlossaryYungas glossary
Words you will meet in the atlas, explained plainly.
- Andean alder (aliso, Alnus acuminata)
- The dominant tree of the upper montane forest; forms near-pure stands in Aconquija National Park.Andean Alder → Sources: libros.unlp.edu.ar ↗ · en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Biosphere reserve
- A UNESCO-recognised area with strictly protected core zones, buffer zones for research and education, and transition zones with sustainable activities. Sources: airedesantafe.com.ar ↗
- Canopy †
- The roof of tree crowns covering the forest and filtering light downward.
- Categories I, II and III (Law 26.331)
- Red (I): the most restrictive, for conservation. Yellow (II): allows sustainable use. Green (III): allows complete transformation of the forest. Sources: legistdf.gob.ar ↗
- Clearing (desmonte)
- Removal of native forest to make room for crops, livestock or other uses; the main threat to the Yungas. Sources: revistaecosistemas.net ↗
- Cloud forest
- Slope forest where clouds settle on the vegetation and add moisture; in the Yungas the montane forest plays this role from about 800 m. Sources: argentina.gob.ar ↗
- Cloud grassland (pastizal de neblina)
- High-altitude grasslands above the treeline, placed by National Parks at 2,500–3,500 m. Sources: argentina.gob.ar ↗
- Ecoregion †
- A large area with a characteristic combination of climate, landscape and species; the Yungas are one of Argentina's ecoregions. Sources: argentina.gob.ar ↗
- Endemism
- When a species lives only in one particular region; for example, the Dabbene's guan (pava de monte alisera) is endemic to the southern Yungas. Sources: revista.avesargentinas.org.ar ↗
- Epiphyte
- A plant that grows on another without parasitising it; in the montane rainforest it covers branches or hangs like curtains. Sources: argentina.gob.ar ↗
- Foothill forest (selva pedemontana)
- The lowest floor of the Yungas, in the foothills at roughly 400–700 m; a transition between humid mountain forest and dry Chaco forest, with summer rains. Sources: msptucuman.gov.ar ↗
- Horco molle (Blepharocalyx salicifolius)
- A myrtle-family tree native to the region that gives its name to the Horco Molle Experimental Reserve in Yerba Buena.Willow-leaved Myrtle → Sources: es.hispanopedia.com ↗
- Horizontal precipitation (fog drip)
- Moisture the vegetation captures from low clouds and fog touching it, feeding streams and rivers in addition to rain. Sources: argentina.gob.ar ↗
- Montane forest (bosque montano)
- The upper forest floor, from about 1,600–1,700 m to 2,300–2,700 m; less diverse, with frosts and frequent fire; dominated by the Andean alder.Andean Alder → Sources: revistaecosistemas.net ↗ · libros.unlp.edu.ar ↗
- Montane rainforest (selva montana)
- The middle floor, the wettest and most diverse, at about 900 to 1,600–1,700 m; average rainfall near 1,800 mm and trees draped in epiphytes. Sources: revistaecosistemas.net ↗ · libros.unlp.edu.ar ↗ · argentina.gob.ar ↗
- Native forest land-use zoning
- The process of zoning forest land into the three categories of Law 26.331; each province approves it by law and must update it periodically. Sources: legistdf.gob.ar ↗
- Orographic rain
- Rain caused by terrain: moist air rises up a mountain, cools and condenses; the windward slope gets the most rain and the leeward side stays dry. Sources: lifeder.com ↗
- Pacará (Enterolobium contortisiliquum)
- Leguminous tree typical of the tipa–pacará forest, the southern foothill forest.Ear Pod Tree → Sources: msptucuman.gov.ar ↗
- Privet (ligustro)
- An invasive exotic tree whose seeds are spread into the forest by birds; it absorbs more water than native species and threatens the ecosystem. Sources: lagaceta.com.ar ↗
- Secondary succession
- Gradual recovery of vegetation on land that was cleared or farmed; at Horco Molle native forest is regenerating as secondary growth on former farmland.Willow-leaved Myrtle → Sources: es.hispanopedia.com ↗
- Tipa (Tipuana tipu)
- Tree that, together with the pacará, names the foothill forest of the southern Yungas, the one found in Tucumán.Ear Pod Tree → Sources: msptucuman.gov.ar ↗
- Umbrella species †
- A species whose protection, because it needs large areas of habitat, also benefits many others sharing its environment.
- Understory †
- The layer of shrubs, herbs and saplings growing beneath the tree crowns.
- Yungas
- Subtropical mountain forest of northwest Argentina, between 22° and 28° S and from about 400 up to nearly 3,000 m elevation. Sources: libros.unlp.edu.ar ↗
† General definition, without a specific verified source.
NoticeThis atlas has not yet been reviewed by specialists. For decisions about safety, health or the law, always confirm with the relevant authority or organisation.