Flora Biodiversity Surveys: Aguada Pichana Este, Añelo, Neuquén, Argentina – 2023/2024 – TotalEnergies E&P Austral B.V.

Study Extent

The study was made all over the TotalEnergies´operational site Aguada Pichana Este. In this case, divided into two campaigns, one covering the central- east area and one covering the central-west area.

Sampling

For the survey, sampling units of the size of 1 (one) hectare were defined in each sector, representative of each environment and according to the species under study. They were traversed on foot by two observers, the findings were georeferenced (GPS), and the following measurements were specified: height (m), trunk diameter or forked diameter (cm) (in the case where the main stem was covered by the substrate), and crown diameter (cm) for the genus Schinus, due to the density in the branching of the specimens and the formation of thickets that hinder access for measurement. There were defined 12 sampling units in the central- eastern area and 13 in the central- western area.

Method steps

1. The specimens registered for Parkinsonia praecox had to have a height superior to 3 m and a diameter superior to 10 cm. In the case of Schinus johnstonii (black pepper tree), only one specimen was measured if the individuals formed clumps, due to the difficulty of access for its measurement.

1. Fabales
   rank: order
2. Magnoliopsida
   rank: class
3. Anacardiaceae
   rank: family
4. Fabaceae
   rank: family
5. Plantae
   rank: kingdom
6. Sapindales
   rank: order
7. Tracheophyta
   rank: phylum

The area in which the survey has been developed is an operational site of the oil and gas company Total Austral. The survey was divided in two to spacial range, one covering the central east are and one covering the central west area.