2019–2022 Water Level Drop in the Paraná River

Causes and Effects

Abstract

The Paraná River basin has approximately 2,700,000 km², while its main affluent, the Paraguay River, involves areas of Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Simply put, the flow of Paraná River originates mainly from rain falling on the tributary basins of the Alto Paraná (Brazil), the Iguazú River (Brazil and Argentina) and the Paraguay River (Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia).
River regime has always been characterized by cycles, alternating water level rises and drops (or low flows), with different degrees of severity and duration.
As for the extraordinary drop occurred in the 2019–2022 period, among its causes one may mentioned variability and climate change; alterations in runoff conditions due to changes in land use (deforestation, intensive agricultural practices involving monocultures, elimination of natural floodplains, fires, unplanned and illegal channeling); etc.
This kind of extraordinary event has an impact on numerous aspects related to the river environment, for example, alterations in wetland ecosystem services (flora, fauna, water quality, soil alterations). The drop also affects infrastructure works, such as water supply intakes, and inland waterway transport, among others.
This special issue of the Journal presents and disseminates works focused on the causes and effects of the extraordinary drop of the Paraná River water level during the 2019–2022 period, with contributions from different disciplines concerned with this issue.
The content of this section may be of interest to researchers, professors, experts, students and professionals connected to the topic.
The editorial board of the Journal wishes to thank the professionals involved for their contributions to this issue.