Chapter 5 Geomorphologic emplacement and vegetation characteristics of Fuegian peatlands, southernmost Argentina, South America

Publisher Summary Tierra del Fuego is an insular region of Patagonia in which several types of peatlands are very well represented, covering a vast portion of the landscape of the central and southern areas of the island. The studied peatlands are located in the eastern-central portion of Tierra del Fuego. This region is composed of Tertiary marine sedimentary rocks, exposed on NW–SE oriented, hilly ranges, which progressively diminish in elevation toward the north and east. The glacial and postglacial (fluvial, alluvial, and littoral processes) history of the landscape contributed to peatlands development such as their type, extension, and depth. Abandoned river channels, shallow ponds, or poorly drained areas were colonized by peat forming plants since Late Glacial to early Holocene times. Peatlands are still actively forming today.