Environmental and socio-economic consequences of changes in the productive activities in semi-arid regions (Santiago del Estero, Argentina)

C. MOSCUZZA; A. PÉREZ CARRERA; A. FERNÁNDEZ CIRELLI

Xinjiang

Conferencia; I International Conference Water, ecosystems and sustainable development in arid and semi-arid zones; 2006

Xinjiang University, China

Santiago del Estero province, located in the northwest region of Argentine, presents great climatic variability with semi-arid characteristics in the center-west area, and sub humid characteristics in the eastern zone. Mean annual precipitation averages 575 mm, but seasonal rains during summer, condition the utilization of water resources. Rural population accounts to 37% in contrast to the national standards (11%) and is spread in small communities (300-1000 inhabitants). In the region, forestry, livestock and agriculture have traditionally been the most important productive activities. The areas of the province with greater environmental impact have been identified, relating the productive activities with the hydrological cycle. Non sustainable agriculture and silviculture have intensified the environmental degradation and desertification processes. The agricultural border expansion has been favoured by the climatic global change and the high international soybean prices. The surface destined for this culture has increased in the last ten years because of the replacement of traditional cultures in the province, the uncontrolled deforestation and the cattle displacement towards marginal zones more susceptible to degradation. Water scarcity conditions the development of productive activities and, nonsustainable productive practices also affect the availability of the hydric resource. Changes in productive activities in Santiago del Estero were analyzed in relation with the ecosystems fragility and the shortage of the natural resources. The negative consequences of the absence of control on the use of soils became evident and constitute an useful tool for stablishing policies to stop the degradation process initiated by the agriculture expansion. Key words: "water scarcity", "Santiago del Estero", "use of territory", "agricultural activities", "soybean", "deforestation".