The use of GIS to determine desertification characterization factors in the western arid region of Argentina

CIVIT, B; RUBIO, C; ARENA, AP; ABRAHAM, EM

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; UNCCD First International Scientific Conference and Consultation Understanding Desertification and Land Degradation Trends; 2009

Institute for Environment and Sustainability

Desertification impact was proposed to be included among the impact categories in the Life Cycle Impact methodologies to assess land use impact in arid lands. The desertification factor to quantify the impact caused by a product, process or activity during its entire life cycle was determined applying a Geographical Information System. Overlapping different information layers, one sensitivity indicator was calculated for each arid ecosystem considered in the desertification impact model developed. This work describes the process to obtain the sensitivity factors for the arid ecosystems in the western arid region of Argentina. Four factors were obtained.