Forage offer from a saline wetland of Central Argentina (San Luis Province)

Abstract

Saline wetlands usually suffer degradation processes, so their exploitation requires planning to achieve the conservation of their resources. Our objective was to determine the forage capacity of a degraded saline wetland in the east central province of San Luis, Argentina, called “Bajo Las Saladas”. Five different vegetation physiognomic types were recognized across three landscape units and their vegetation characteristics and aerial biomass were determined. In those areas, species with forage value were: Atriplex lampa and Atriplex undulata (Amaranthaceae), Sporobolus phleoides, Pappophorum caespitosum and Distichlis spicata (Poaceae). Other Amaranthaceae, Sarcocornia neei, was a forage of low value. Considering the total forage production, its use factor, and the foraging habits of a breeding cow, we estimated a forage offer able to sustain 11.5 breeding cows 100 ha−1. The grazing of this saline wetland, carrying out forage management taking into account the limitations of the area, could be an attractive economic alternative minimizing the present wetland deterioration.