Land use change and ecosystem service provision in Pampas and Campos grasslands of southern South America

MODERNEL, P. ; ROSSING, W.A.H.,; DOGLIOTTI, S.; PICASSO, V.; CORBEELS M.,; TITTONELL, P.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS

IOP Science

Año: 2016 vol. 11 p. 1 - 22

1748-9326

New livestock production models need to simultaneously meet the increasing global demand for meatand preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. Since the 16th century beef cattle has been producedon the Pampas and Campos native grasslands in southern South America, with only small amounts ofexternal inputs.Wesynthesised 242 references from peer-reviewed and grey literature publishedbetween 1945 and mid-2015 and analysed secondary data to examine the evidence on the ecosystemservices provided by this grassland biodiversity hotspot and the way they are affected by land usechanges and their drivers. The analysis followed the requirements of systematic review from thePRISMA statement (Moher et al 2009 Acad. Clin. Ann. Intern. Med. 151 264?9). The Pampas andCampos provide feed for 43 million heads of cattle and 14 million sheep. The biome is habitat of 4000native plant species, 300 species of birds, 29 species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 35 species ofamphibians. The soils of the region stock5%of the soil organic carbon of Latin America on3%of itsarea. Driven by high prices of soybean, the soybean area increased by 210% between 2000 and 2010, atthe expense of 2 million ha (5%) of native grassland, mostly in the Pampas. Intensification of livestockproduction was apparent in two spatially distinct forms. In subregions where cropping increased,intensification of livestock production was reflected in an increased use of grains for feed as part offeedlots. In subregions dominated by native grasslands, stocking rates increased. The review showedthat land use change and grazing regimes with low forage allowances were predominantly associatedwith negative effects on ecosystem service provision by reducing soil organic carbon stocks and thediversity of plants, birds and mammals, and by increasing soil erosion.Wefound little quantitativeinformation on changes in the ecosystem services water provision, nutrient cycling and erosioncontrol.Wediscuss how changing grazing regimes to higher forage allowance can contribute togreater meat production and enhancing ecosystem services from native grasslands. This would requireworking with farmers on changing their management strategies and creating enabling economicconditions.