Efecto de la vegetación xerófila de los ambientes sedimentarios hiper-áridos frente a la erosión hídrica. Retención del suelo a partir de la formación de islas. En revisión, Sociedad Argentina de Botánica.

ALMIRÓN, MARTÍN; PERALTA, S. H; CARRETERO, EDUARDO

BOLETíN DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE BOTáNICA

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE BOTÁNICA

Lugar: Córdoba; Año: 2021 p. 1 - 17

0373-580X

The xerophytic vegetation present in the gently sedimentary depressions constitutes the only obstacle to the erosive force of runoff. Over time, sites protected from erosion are established counter-flow of plants (islands) and sites through which water moves, eroding the soil (channels). In the present study, we analyze the effect of the plants located in front of the islands (PFI) to protect the soil and the plant community. We also interpret the morphometric relationships of the islands from fluid mechanics as a result of the predominant water erosion in the channels. To do this, we measure the islands´ height, length, and width to estimate the surface area and volume in at least ten individuals of the five species present in the site. In addition, we measured the height and coverage of the PFI individuals. We also compared some soil properties in microenvironments (texture, salinity, and Nitrogen), the vegetation cover, and the number of individuals grouped by biological form installed in the islands and channels. Our results indicate that the larger PFIs determine larger islands with better soils, which maintain a more significant number of perennial individuals and plant coverage than channels where only annual herbaceous plants predominate. However, the islands shape was constant, independently of PFIs properties. Our results add information about the fundamental role of vegetation in modeling the landscape of these hyper-arid environments, reducing soil erosion by runoff, and facilitating the survival of other species. Therefore, the conservation of scarce vegetation is a priority for the sustainability of these fragile environments.