IANIGLA   20881
INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE NIVOLOGIA, GLACIOLOGIA Y CIENCIAS AMBIENTALES
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Land use and disturbance effects on the dynamics of natural ecosystems of the Monte Desert. Implications for their management.
Autor/es:
VILLAGRA, P.E.; DEFOSSÉ, G.; DEL VALLE, H.; TABENI, S.; ROSTAGNO, C.M.; CESCA, E.M.; ABRAHAM, E.M.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
Editorial:
Elsevier
Referencias:
Año: 2008
ISSN:
0140-1963
Resumen:
The complex interactions between human activity and natural processes determine non-linear dynamics
in ecosystems that can difficult their management. Human settlements in arid lands contribute to the
modification of disturbance regimes, including the introduction of new disturbances and the elimination
of others. In consequence, they can alter the functional mechanisms that allow systems to overcome
limiting factors, leading to desertification. In this revision, we evaluated the effects of the changes on
disturbance regimes produced by the different forms of land transformation on the structure and
function of ecosystems of the Monte Biogeographical Province, in Argentinean arid west. Two
approaches were used: the analysis of land use history and the analysis of the effects of the main
disturbances on the dynamics of different communities.We concluded that throughout the history of the
Monte Desert, the joint action of natural and anthropic agents has resulted in complex dynamics that
lead most area of the Monte to a moderate to severe status of desertification. The modification of the
disturbance regime had strong consequences for several aspects of the dynamics of communities, such as
species composition and diversity, water dynamics, soil conditions, trophic structure and productivity of
Monte Desert ecosystems. However, disturbance regimes could be managed to promote favorable
transitions in ecosystems and, therefore, could be a tool for optimizing productivity of agro-ecosystems,
and recovering and conserving natural ecosystems