Ecological Restoration and Productive Recovery of Saline Environments from the Argentine Monte Desert Using Native Plants

PABLO E. VILLAGRA; CARLOS B. PASSERA ; SILVINA GRECO; CARMEN E. SARTOR; PABLO A. MEGLIOLI; JUAN A. ALVAREZ; SOFÍA DÁGATA; CECILIA VEGA RIVEROS; LILIANA I. ALLEGRETTI; MARÍA EMILIA FERNÁNDEZ ; BÁRBARA GUIDA-JOHNSON; NERINA B. LANA; MARIANO A. CONY

Saline and Alkaline Soils in Latin América. Natural Resources, Management and Productive Alternatives.

Springer

Año: 2021; p. 313 - 338

The accumulation of soluble salts in soils is one of themain environmentalfactors that contribute to the productive capacity limitations of Argentina?s aridecosystems. Salinization processes lead to critical states of degradation and desertification.The challenge to recover and improve the productivity of such degradedareas is complex because it should consider restoration strategies that will be integratedwith local economic, cultural, and social activities. The integrative use and management of native species in remediation programs are an attractive restorationtool that could improve the productivity capacity of degraded areas. Native specieshave developed numerous strategies and adaptations that could ensure their survivalin saline environments. Nevertheless, species selection, management, and appropriatetechnologies to be used in afforestation programs may be limited because ofpartial information on the potential and requirements of each native species and theenvironmental characteristics of each site. In this chapter, we analyze not only theproblem of soil salinization and the challenge of restoring saline environments inArgentina, but also the characteristics of native species of trees, shrubs, and grassesof the Monte region, considering their salt tolerance and the provision of goods andservices to local populations, which can be useful in restoration programs.