Socioecological impacts of pine monocultures on Guaraní territories in Argentina: the hidden costs of modern development

Abstract

This study examines the socioenvironmental impacts of pine (Pinus taeda) monoculturesestablished by forestry companies on Guaraní territories in the Province of Misiones, Argentina.Conducted from an interdisciplinary perspective, the research addresses the concerns of aGuaraní community (Puente Quemado II) about the effects on their way of life and the potentialtoxicological risks resulting from changes to their territory, including large monocultures ofpine. By incorporating inputs from ethnography, ethnobiology, biology, ecology, ecotoxicologyand toxicology, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of the forestmonoculture system on the communities. The findings indicate that the implementation of themonoculture system has negative impacts on the communities in terms of cultural and materialresources, as well as toxicological risks. Collectively, these factors represent a high risk to theirexistence within the territory. However, conditions in the area allow rapid ecological restoration,which, with appropriate policies, could serve as a strategy for historical repair efforts and thefullfilment of indigenous communities’ rights.