Effect of floods and droughts in natural grassland of a basin of southern Pampa (Argentina) and its incidence in agroproductive changes

PATRICIA VAZQUEZ; MÓNICA SACIDO; LAURA ZULAICA

Rosario

Congreso; IX International Rangeland Congress; 2011

Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) y Asociación Argentina para el Manejo de Pastizales Naturales (AAMPN)

Grassland in the pamepan región is permanently exposed to stressful situations, caused by droughts and floods that affect its functions. From the socioeconomic point of view, these damp and dry cycles condition agroproductive practices. The Basin of the river Quequén Grande (9944 km2), located in southern Pampa, is considered the second basin in order of economic importance in the country. Approximately, a 30 % of its surface conserves its native grassland in non-saturated areas, but with bad draining. Current agroproductive systems, mainly based on an intensive agricultural model, have pervaded during dry periods in grassland destined for livestock at damp periods; whereas livestock generally advances on areas occupied by water in damp periods. In this context, the hereby work has as objective to analyze the influence of floods and droughts in the agroproductive changes of the basin and to quantify their effects on the native grassland.