Environmental zoning of Bahia San Antonio natural reserve in Argentina: environmental quality index application

Human activities and natural processes are needed in changes affect different environments in coastal Patagonia. The aim of this study is to determine the current environmental quality places that make San Antonio Bay reserve. Applying the Environmental Quality Index (EQI). Results obtained on study areas as follows: San Antonio West where the index ranges from a value of 0.50 and 0.45, reflecting increased human activity related to the extraction of mineral resources, fisheries. The area of San Antonio East has an index of 0.34 as a result of port activities and site features. Third class has values up to 0.28 which shows a large annual tourist activity, poor urban planning and erosion problem in the cliffs. The fourth specific area corresponding to the northern sector of San Antonio Bay with values up to 0.63 which human activities are scarce and the water flow circulation the constant of the environment. It shows a significant alteration of the natural condition of these ecosystems caused by overfishing of the physical environment and the contamination of environmental and urban policies in the recent past.