Biodiversity Uruguay (URY)
 
  FishBase Complete Literature Reference
Species Families Species Families
Marine 463 152 No
Freshwater 263 46 No
Total 718 189 No
Conservation List of freshwater species completed using CLOFFSCA work. The following information is to be sought: - Status of knowledge of the freshwater fauna; - Existence of conservation plans; - Information on major aquatic habitats or sites within the country; - Current major threats to species; - Future potential threats to species; - Contact(s) for further information.
Geography and Climate Uruguay is located in Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil. Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Washington State. Total land boundary is 1,564 km, border countries are Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km. Climate is warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown. Terrain consists of mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland. Elevation extreme has the lowest point in Atlantic Ocean 0 m and highest point in Cerro Catedral 514 m. Natural resources are fertile soil, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries. Land use: arable land: 7%, permanent crops: 0%, permanent pastures: 77%, forests and woodland: 6%, other: 10% (1997 est.). Irrigated land: 7,700 sq km (1997 est.). Natural hazards are seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in weather fronts. Environment—current issues: working with Brazil to monitor and minimize transboundary pollution caused by Brazilian power plant near border; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal.

Ref.  Anonymous, 1999
Hydrography
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