How rural actors relate to nature. Perceptions of ecosystem services in the semi-arid Chaco of northern Argentina

Abstract

In drylands, rapid changes in land use have been interpreted as conflicts over the appropriation of ecosystem services (ES). A better understanding of these conflicts can lead to the formulation of sustainable management policies by capturing the value of nature. We undertake a Q-method study to identify perceptions related to ES and the main drivers of change threatening ES in the semi-arid Chaco region of northern Argentina. Our main results highlight the existence of three significant perspectives, with areas of consensus and disagreement among rural actors, namely: (1) Traditional Creole; (2) Agribusiness; and (3) Territorial Creole. The current viewpoints of rural actors are diverse but include certain unifying themes. All perspectives favor water and exotic grasses as the most important ES. As main drivers of change threatening ES, the legal framework is a very important factor as well as the availability of fodder. Our study is a significant contribution to understanding the reasons for land use decisions and the appropriation strategies that rural actors use in defining their valuation of several ES.