Seasonal Monitoring Biodiversity Surveys: Rincón La Ceniza, Añelo, Neuquén, Argentina – 2023/2024 – TotalEnergies E&P Austral B.V.

Study Extent

The survey was developed in three environmental units already detailed in the geographic coverage section

Sampling

In the MB, BA and AT areas, 3 transects for both flora and fauna were defined in each, whereas in the MD area, 6 transects were defined. In the AC area, only one transect was defined.
Each transect has a 500 m length and 50 m width.
The assemblages surveyed were: Birds, Mammals, Herpetofauna and Entomofauna In addition to the transects, some observations spots were set, in order to complete the information from the transects. These spots were located in areas which could provide a good view of both fauna and flora of the environmental unit they are located. Moreover, Sherman traps for micromammals were set in the basaltic plateau with wind deposits and the lowland floodplain, as well as a footprint tracking device. This device consists of a small container with a scent bait, which attracts mammals, and by approaching the device the individuals leave footprints in the ground which can then be used to identify the species.
Finally, for the entomofauna survey, pitfall traps were set in the same environmental units as the footprint tracking device. These traps were set only the Spring and Summer surveys, as they are the periods in which that assemblage is more active.

Method steps

1. For the flora survey, the Point Quadrat method was used, with replicas or coverage calculations. It should be noted that the sampling effort was defined based on the characteristics of the surface and the heterogeneity of the reference environmental units, ensuring their representativeness in the sampling. The species list was completed with the record of those not intercepted by the transects, but that were detected through the observations spot. The proposed fauna transects were traversed on foot by two observers, georeferencing the findings and specifying, as far as possible, the life stage of the individuals (juveniles, adults, and sex). Regarding the Sherman traps, there were set on the first day of the survey and checked every following day for any capture that might have happened.

1. Chordata
   rank: phylum
2. Malvales
   rank: order
3. Aves
   rank: class
4. Reptilia
   rank: class
5. Caviidae
   rank: family
6. Malvaceae
   rank: family
7. Fabaceae
   rank: family
8. Liolaemidae
   rank: family
9. Lamiales
   rank: order
10. Squamata
    rank: order
11. Cathartidae
    rank: family
12. Cactaceae
    rank: family
13. Tyrannidae
    rank: family
14. Caryophyllales
    rank: order
15. Malpighiaceae
    rank: family
16. Tracheophyta
    rank: phylum
17. Asterales
    rank: order
18. Leporidae
    rank: family
19. Furnariidae
    rank: family
20. Hirundinidae
    rank: family
21. Verbenaceae
    rank: family
22. Odontophoridae
    rank: family
23. Mammalia
    rank: class
24. Plantae
    rank: kingdom
25. Animalia
    rank: kingdom
26. Rhinocryptidae
    rank: family
27. Fabales
    rank: order
28. Solanales
    rank: order
29. Cingulata
    rank: order
30. Oleaceae
    rank: family
31. Magnoliopsida
    rank: class
32. Bignoniaceae
    rank: family
33. Rodentia
    rank: order
34. Passeriformes
    rank: order
35. Sapindales
    rank: order
36. Solanaceae
    rank: family
37. Malpighiales
    rank: order
38. Lagomorpha
    rank: order
39. Asteraceae
    rank: family
40. Frankeniaceae
    rank: family
41. Galliformes
    rank: order
42. Anacardiaceae
    rank: family
43. Teiidae
    rank: family
44. Accipitriformes
    rank: order
45. Dasypodidae
    rank: family
46. Halophytaceae
    rank: family

The area in which the surveys were conducted is part of the operational site Rincón La Ceniza of the oil and gas company Total Austral. 4 environmental units where defined: Meseta Basáltica (MB) basaltic plateau, Meseta basáltica con depósitos eólicos (MD), basaltic plateau with wind deposits, Quebradas y Cañadones (QYC), ravines and canyons, Bajada Aluvial (BA), lowland alluvial floodplain and Arroyo Carranza (AC), Stream Carranza.