Flora Subtropical plants dominate the
Gran Chaco in the north, with the
Dalbergia genus of trees well represented by
Brazilian rosewood and the
quebracho tree; also predominant are the wacho white and black algarrobo trees (
Prosopis alba and
Prosopis nigra). Savannah-like areas exist in the drier regions nearer the Andes. Aquatic plants thrive in the wetlands of Argentina. In central Argentina the
humid pampas are a true
tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The original pampa had virtually no trees; some imported species like the
American sycamore or
eucalyptus are present along roads or in towns and country estates (
estancias). The only tree-like plant native to the pampa is the evergreen
ombú. The surface soils of the pampa are a deep black color, primarily
mollisols, known commonly as
humus. This makes the region one of the most agriculturally productive on Earth; however, this is also responsible for decimating much of the original ecosystem, to make way for commercial agriculture. The western pampas receive less rainfall, this
dry pampa is a plain of short grasses or
steppe. In
Cuyo, semiarid thorny bushes and other
xerophile plants abound. Along the many rivers grasses and trees grow in significant numbers. The area presents optimal conditions for the large scale growth of
grape vines. In northwest Argentina there are many species of
cactus. No vegetation grows in the highest elevations (above ) because of the extreme altitude.
Fauna Many species live in the subtropical north. Prominent animals include
big cats like the
jaguar and
puma; primates (
howler monkey); large reptiles (
crocodiles), the
Argentine black and white tegu and a species of
caiman. Other animals include the
tapir,
peccary,
capybara,
bush dog, and various species of turtle and
tortoise. There are a wide variety of birds, notably
hummingbirds,
flamingos,
toucans, and
swallows. The central grasslands are populated by the
giant anteater,
armadillo,
pampas cat,
maned wolf,
mara,
cavias, and the
rhea (
ñandú), a large flightless bird.
Hawks,
falcons,
herons, and
tinamous (
perdiz, Argentine "false partridges") inhabit the region. There are also
pampas deer and
pampas foxes. Some of these species extend into Patagonia. The western mountains are home to animals including the
llama,
guanaco and
vicuña which are among the most recognizable species of South America. Also in this region are the fox,
viscacha,
Andean mountain cat,
kodkod, and the largest flying bird in the
New World, the
Andean condor. Southern Argentina is home to the
cougar,
huemul,
pudú (the world's smallest deer), and introduced, non-native
wild boar. Insects, like
Eriopis connexa are found throughout the country. ==Environmental issues==