Dust storms, drought and desertification in the Southwest of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

ABRAHAM, ELENA; GUEVARA, JUAN CARLOS; CANDIA, R. J. ; SORIA, NELSON DARÍO

REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS AGRARIAS DE LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CUYO

UNIV NACIONAL CUYO

Lugar: Mendoza; Año: 2015

0370-4661

p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }Thestudy region is one of the most endangered area from wind erosion inthe country. This process, coupled with recurrent droughts in lastdecades and the mishandling of productive practices have generateddesertification. This study presents a review of the interaction ofthese processes based on literature, field survey and perception ofproducers. Recommendations for rehabilitation are proposed. The areacovers 6.5 million hectares, hosting in 2002 550,000 people and 7,825farms in irrigated and non-irrigated lands. Irrigated lands aredevoted to agricultural production. Non-irrigated have a mixedproduction system (beef cattle-wheat). Mean annual rainfall in1940-2014 was 407 mm. In 60% of these years, rainfall wasbelowthe mean.Desertification in the area is a consequence of drought andmismanagement. In wet cycles, producers increase stocking rate andwheat-sown area using the same practices of the humid pampa. As aconsequence of dry cycles, land is abandonment and fields covered bysand and invasive plants. Over 20 cm of soil has blown away and sandaccumulates in fences and stays suspended in the atmosphere, reachingBahia Blanca city and up to 400 km into the Atlantic Ocean. The arearequires deep structural changes in production systems and theirmanagement. Emphasis should be on sustainable management,which involvesa mentality change of producers and decision makers. Recommendationswere made for cleared and non-cleared lands.