Islote Lobos Natural protected Area

General description and biodiversity

Is a group of approximately six small islands formed by the sprouting of granite rock.
The Islote (islet) Lobos is completely rocky and bare of vegetation; the rest are covered by sediments of sand, shells and guano, with abundant shrub vegetation (Larrea spp). Extensive rocky reefs that join the islets with the coast during low-tide, shape salt-water lagoons, tidal wells and emerging rocks.
An abundant variety of sea and shore birds nest in the area: the Neotropical Cormorant (Phalacrocorax olivaceus), Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi), Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularoides), American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) (outstanding biological phenomenon)
Presence of Podiceps rolland, Podiceps mayor, Podiceps occipitalis, Phalacrocorax atriceps, Phoenicopterus chilensis, Coscoroba coscoroba, Cygnus melanocoryha, Tachyeres patachonicus, Anas georgica, Anas flavirostris, Charadrius falklandicus, Arenaria interpres, Tringa flavipes, Calidris fuscicollis, Chionis alba, Chroicocephallus maculipennis, Sterna hirundinacea and Sterna trudeaui.
Otaria flavescens (outstanding biological phenomenon) reproduce in the area.
The artisanal fishing of Octopus tehuelchus was carried out until 1977.

Government and non-government organisations who work in the area:
· Provincial Environmental Council (CODEMA).
· Rio Negro Fauna Direction
· "Almirante Storni" Marine and Fishing Biology Intitute
· Patagonia Natural Foundation

Biological Value:
· Significant populations that depends on wetlands: Ramsar Convention. Criteria 2 (c)
· Endemic, rare or threatened species: No examples have been registered
· Economically important species: Octopus tehuelchus
· Charismatic species: Otaria flavescens, Casmerodius albus and Ardea cocoi.

Benefits:
· Resources: Birds and mammals
· Functions: Wildlife refuge and recreation
· Attributes: Biological diversity

Impacts and threats: Tourism and recreation