The Pampas of Argentina

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Background Information

The Pampas, sometimes referred to as La Pampa, comprise a central Argentine region renowned worldwide for its exceptional agricultural productivity. However, beyond its fields, plantations and grazing lands lies a fascinating history of ecological transformation stemming from both natural causes and human development. Typically classified as a temperate grasslands biome,(14) the Pampas constitute a vast expanse of open land -- about 52 million hectares (3) -- but its scope is limited to one contiguous patch of land predominantly within one country,(1) and it is consequently best classified as a regional ecosystem. The region comprises 20 % of all Argentine land, and its agricultural productivity, coupled with its cattle-friendly terrain, enable its role as Argentina’s main source of wealth.(14)

The Pampas ecoregion is located primarily in central and eastern Argentina.
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Climatological and Ecological History

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Using geology, land mammal assemblages, and pollen records, scientists have determined that the Pampas current climatic conditions are a relatively recent phenomenon. Toward the end of the Pleistocene era, about 20,000 years ago, the Pampas were relatively cold and arid.(11) 



However, the recent discovery of fossils belonging to sub-tropical mammals also suggests that at some point thereafter, the region warmed and experienced more precipitation.(11) However, in the last few thousand years and continuing today, the Pampas region has historically featured a warm, sub-humid and semiarid climate (3,5) with adequate rainfall (40-120 cm).(3)

The abundance of the Pampas grass, shown above,
   is the reason for the name of the Pampas ecoregion.  

Despite this moderate amount of rainfall, the region is is home to some of the richest soils in the world.(14) This richness is due primarily to the frequent fires that burn the native grasses of the region, particularly the Pampas grass, after which the region is named.(15) 





As is the case with most temperate grassland ecosystems, the roots of most of these grasses lie under the ground, so they do not die when fire strikes.(7)

Instead, they easily regenerate, and benefit greatly from the nutrients provided by the decomposition of the tops of the burned plants.(7) The terrain is further enriched by a black soil called chernozem, which has high concentrations of loess and calcium. (15) This process of natural fertilization of the soil persisted until the advent of European colonists and their cattle to South America in the 16th century, an event that initiated degradation of the ecosystem. (9)

Human Impact

     Over time, undeveloped land in the Pampas has been increasingly converted for agriculture. 
The increasing density of the photographs reflects this growing trend.
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As is the case with most temperate grassland ecosystems since the advent of the steel plow,(15) much of the Pampas has been converted to agricultural lands. Many scientists foresee further development of arable land as an inevitable yet unfortunate result of the exponentially increasing Human population.(3)

In order to protect the grasslands from further conversion to agricultural land, scientists are looking for ways to augment crop yields of land that has already been developed for agriculture. Since temperate grassland ecosystems require fire to retain the nutrients in soil, and since the conversion for agriculture suppresses fire and kills native grasses, there is mounting concern about the long-term suitability of the land for agriculture. These concerns are enhanced by the rising degree of soybean monoculture, (3) illustrated in the following graph.(3)

Monoculture adversely affects the lands on which it is practiced because over time, pathogens and pests  evolve to specifically target the one crop growing, which in this case is the soybean. The crop, however, does not simultaneously evolve, rendering the crop more susceptible to damage and disease than it would be naturally in a system in which polyculture were practiced. (7)

The growing employment of monoculture and the more broad conversion of land for agriculture have released harmful fertilizer chemicals in the environment and occasioned a decline in native grasses and biodiversity in the region. Indeed, at least 15 mammal species, 20 bird species, and 15 plant species are at serious risk of extinction.(8) This decline in species richness is contributing to the land's loss of character as a temperate grasslands biome. Sadly, when agriculture does not replace the endangered plant species, invasive species often serve that role.

  For most crops grown in the Pampas, the use of fertilizers has increased. The condition of the land has

deteriorated further as a result, and the surrounding watershed has been more severely contaminated. 
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In addition, once European settlers arrived to the South American mainland in the early 1500s, they quickly realized the suitability of the Pampas for grazing.(9) Ever since, gauchos, or herdsmen of the Pampas, have allowed their cattle to overgraze the land, causing soil erosion and facilitating the spread of invasive species.(9) Cattle excrement, as well as increased use of machinery and chemical fertilizers, is contaminating streams, rivers and other freshwater sources.(10,12)
            

   Summarized Table of Human Impacts

Solutions to Human Impacts

If unsustainable agricultural practices are continued in the Pampas, the nation
could possibly see a decline in its economy and agricultural production.
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In order to improve human impacts on the ecosystem, leaders should first initiate a mass awareness campaign. People in the Pampas, especially gauchos and farmers, need to be apprised of how their habits are adversely affecting the ecosystem. As noted above, the negative effects of ecological degradation aren’t contained solely to the Pampas. They extend to the entire Argentine nation (fresh water contamination, decline in food supply) and to the animals and plants in the area (extinction and endangerment). As explained above, the continued unsustainable use of soil may potentially degrade the soil to the point where it is no longer usable, thus leading to a decline in the economy from a decline in agricultural production. 

The Argentine government has laws to protect the Geoffroy's cats from extinction. Hunters 

used to sell their pelts for fur coats and capturing them for pet trade (8).
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To prevent these life-altering environmental changes, the Argentine parliament should act to preserve remaining land and restore degraded land to its previous conditions by requiring agricultural practices in the Pampas be made more sustainable. The government should extend laws, like those protecting Geoffroy’s Cats from hunters, to other animals and plants that are endangered or at risk.(8) It should also act to obligate farmers to responsibly use chemical-rich fertilizers in order to preserve the quality of fresh water and soil. Furthermore, it should mandate that gauchos better monitor and contain the amount of land their cattle use to graze. Lastly, it should pass legislation to preserve a large area of untouched land in the region. This land should be turned into a national park and reserve similar to the National Park and National and Provincial Reserves plan proposed in the Argentine Parliament in 1997 that did not come to fruition (4). This future park and reserve can be home to many of the animals and plants in danger of extinction. Tourists can come and visit the Pampas and see its beautiful expansive landscape, unique plants, and beautiful animals. In this way, the Pampas could profit not only from agriculture, but also from tourism. Some of the tourism money could be taxed or directly acquired by the government to put forth for the preservation of the Pampas for many years.

Likely Future Prospects

A scenic photo of the landscape characterizing the Western Pampas.
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Despite all of these concerns, environmental conditions in the Pampas are currently OK, but trends in the region indicate they could deteriorate with time. If the Pampas continue to be used unsustainably for agriculture and if the species at risk of extinction do in fact go extinct, the Pampas may continue to lose its species richness and biodiversity. Additionally, if the land and soil of the region is overused to the point of resource exhaustion, it may affect not just those in the Pampas, but also the people and environments surrounding it, because Argentina’s resources would diminish and its economy would suffer. Other countries that import crops from the Pampas may have to find a different provider or stop importing those crops altogether. If the water quality continues to decline from contamination, the long-term health of the people who receive fresh water from the Pampas may decline because of the toxic contents of the water. In fact, many studies have indicated that some of these toxins may be carcinogens.(2) If current conditions deteriorate, locals may face the brunt of the the repercussions, but consequences could be far-reaching and even global, as well.

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