Agricultural land degradation in Argentina

Abstract

Land degradation is a serious and widespread problem in Argentina. Argentina is one of the largest agricultural goods producers of the world with large-scale agricultural and livestock industries and generates a great pressure over natural ecosystems. Main drivers of land-degradation processes are the advance of agricultural frontier through fragile ecosystems (e.g., dry forests) and intensive and simplified farming systems without an adequate rotation planning. Currently around 40% of the country’s lands are affected by degradation processes, a percentage that increases to 60% if only the crop lands are considered. This situation generates a decrease in land productivity and an increase in environmental costs due to loss of ecosystem services. Although successful examples of conservation practices for erosion control exists, the reality is that agricultural management practices must consider other degradation processes that are acting in different regions. This chapter reviews the recent studies regarding the types of land degradation and their drivers that affect the different regions of Argentina. Proper management practices oriented to soil conservation appear as a priority for local authorities and producers, especially in the context of climate change, which can exacerbate the negative effects.