Land use and disturbance effects on the dynamics of natural ecosystems of the Monte Desert: Implications for their management |
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Authors: | P.E. Villagra G.E. Defossé H.F. del Valle S. Tabeni M. Rostagno E. Cesca E. Abraham |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Agricultural and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Magallanes, Avenida Bulnes, 01855 Punta Arenas, Chile;2. Faculty of Sciences, University of Magallanes, Master of Sciences: Management and Conservation of Natural Resources in Sub-Antarctic Environments, Avenida Bulnes, 01855 Punta Arenas, Chile;3. School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Florida, PO Box 116455, Bldg. 0724, 103 Black Hall, 32611 Gainesville, FL, USA;1. University of Lleida, Avda. Rovira Roure 178, 25198 Lleida, Spain;2. NEIKER-Tecnalia, Arkaute''s Agrifood Campus, PO Box 46, 01080 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain;3. DAIA Intelligent Solutions S.L., Pol. Industrial Mallutz, Pabellón 18, local 5, 20240 Ordizia, Spain;4. Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), Zaragoza, Spain;5. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón– IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain |
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Abstract: | The complex interactions between human activity and natural processes determine non-linear dynamics in ecosystems that can difficult their management. Human settlements in arid lands contribute to the modification of disturbance regimes, including the introduction of new disturbances and the elimination of others. In consequence, they can alter the functional mechanisms that allow systems to overcome limiting factors, leading to desertification. In this revision, we evaluated the effects of the changes on disturbance regimes produced by the different forms of land transformation on the structure and function of ecosystems of the Monte Biogeographical Province, in Argentinean arid west. Two approaches were used: the analysis of land use history and the analysis of the effects of the main disturbances on the dynamics of different communities. We concluded that throughout the history of the Monte Desert, the joint action of natural and anthropic agents has resulted in complex dynamics that lead most area of the Monte to a moderate to severe status of desertification. The modification of the disturbance regime had strong consequences for several aspects of the dynamics of communities, such as species composition and diversity, water dynamics, soil conditions, trophic structure and productivity of Monte Desert ecosystems. However, disturbance regimes could be managed to promote favorable transitions in ecosystems and, therefore, could be a tool for optimizing productivity of agro-ecosystems, and recovering and conserving natural ecosystems. |
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