Human-Driven Land-Use Change on Native Forests in Argentina: A Literature Review of Ecological Attributes and Regional Patterns

Abstract

Global forest loss, largely driven by human activities, threatens ecological integrity and human well-being. Native forests across diverse ecoregions facing specific pressures shaped by socio-economic dynamics. This literature review aimed to 1-identify the main human activities threatening native forests across different forest regions in Argentina, 2-examine how ecological attributes (composition, structure, functioning) are assessed in native forests, and 3-determine the impacts of human activities on forests. 139 articles (1980–2023) were reviewed with PRISMA protocol. Agriculture and livestock were the main human activities assessed, varying among ecoregions: Parque Chaqueño and Yungas forests showed higher conversion rates to croplands and pastures. Composition was the most frequently analysed attribute, and nearly a third of articles assessed three attributes concurrently. Reported impacts on forest attributes were predominantly negative. While forest conversion to croplands and pastures is evident nationwide, this review underscores the need for region-specific strategies and highlights underrepresented drivers of forest degradation.