Patagonian grasslands ("Podiceps gallardoi"), the rare ruddy-headed goose ("Chloephaga rubidiceps") and the near threatened striated caracara ("Phalcoboenus australis"), which has suffered from over-hunting. The ecoregion has few protected areas. They include Dicky Private Wildlife Reserve ("Refugio Privado de Vida Silvestre Dicky") and Magallanes National Reserve on the mainland, and Reserva Costa Atlántica in Tierra del Fuego. The Patagonian Grasslands of Argentina Conservation Project, organized by The Nature Conservancy, is trying to develop sustainable grazing practices in partnership with scientists and landowners, but it is a challenge to find economic incentives. An Argentine company has worked with The Nature Conservancy to develop protocols
Monte Desert other two nearby deserts. The geography of the land is very similar to that of the interior Patagonian Desert, with volcanic sediments, piedmont plains, large mountain blocks and many usually dry salt lakes. The major river is the Río Colorado and its tributary the Río Desaguadero, which meet in the south of the region and provide its principal source of irrigation water for wine crops. Due to the region lying on the eastern, or leeward, side of the Andes and west of the Sierra de Córdoba, it experiences very little rain. These rain shadow effects are the primary reason for