Grazing Management and Provision of Ecosystem Services in Patagonian Arid Rangelands

Abstract

This chapter discusses how different sheep grazing management of Patagonian arid rangelands impacts on the provision of critical ecosystem services (ES): plant primary productivity (supporting service), forage supply (provisioning service), C and N storage (regulating services), and plant diversity (biodiversity). Particularly, it is evaluated how grazing pressure (land-use intensification), strategic grazing-rests, and herbivore distribution affect these ES, analyzing the synergies and trade-offs among them. Besides, it is assessed how aridity level interacts with grazing management to determine plant attributes linked to the ES of forage supply and plant primary productivity. Moderating the stocking rate, applying strategic grazing-rests according to each ecological site characteristics (mainly the aridity level), and promoting a homogeneous herbivore distribution within each management unit are useful management technologies to maximize the provision of ES, promoting synergies among them. Assessing diverse ES responses and including them in grazing management decisions is critical to promote the sustainability of Patagonian arid rangelands and meet current and future stakeholder needs.