RESEARCH UNIT TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY

Guanaco


ScientistsScientists

Research Fellows Reseaech Fellows

Personal de Apoyo a la InvestigaciónProfessionals

Technicians

Research linesResearch lines

PublicationsPublications

 

Head: Dr. Pablo Bouza


About us

The group under the Scientific Area for Research of the Arid Regions of the National Patagonic Center (today named Research Unit Terrestrial Ecology) started activities during 1975 in the frame of the Program "Ecology and Development of Arid Regions" sponsored through an agreement OEA-CNEGH-INTA (Organization of American States-National Commission for Geo-Helio-Physic Studies- National Institute for Agricultural Technology). This program had as main target the analysis of structural aspects of the arid and semiarid ecosystems of Chubut Province and generated a releveč evaluation and mapping of soil, water and vegetation resources at various scales by the end of 1881. The staff was at that time integrated by young researchers coming from various national Universities (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, La Plata, Southern) and included agronomic engineers (M. Rostagno, M. Irisarri, M. Pontet, M. Bertiller) biologists (A. Beeskow), zoologists (J. Garrido) and the technician R. Barrena.

During 1981-1983 other researchers and fellowship students joined the group and new research lines were developed related to the functioning, productivity and conservation of patagonic ecosystems. In the frame of the joint program BID-CONICET (International Development Bank- National Council of Scientific and Technological Research) and other similar sources of funding, most researchers of the group developed pos-graduate studies and obtained corresponding degrees in related research centers outside Argentina. This allowed further diversification in research lines and intensification of the existent ones. Since 1997, research lines related to the study of coastal and intertidal environments further expanded the interest areas and prompts further chances for interdisciplinary research. .

At present, the research group is integrated by 12 researchers belonging to CONICET and the National University Patagonia San Juan Bosco and other agencies. The group also includes 6 research fellows, 4 professional assistants and 3 technicians. The research lines are oriented towards acquiring knowledge on the structure, biodiversity and ecological processes in patagonic terrestrial ecosystems, at different scales, aiming to their conservation and/or ecologically sustainable use. Names for these lines are Degradation Processes in Natural and Cultivated Areas, Grassland Ecology, Soil Processes and Quaternary Geology, Surver-Ecology-Management of Native Fauna and Ecology of Coastal Environments.

More than 15 research fellows have completed their pos-graduate studies with us. Some of them have joined the group and others occupy positions in other regional or national institutions. A fairly high number of graduate students have also joined our group at times during their education. Our research unit contributed with over 180 papers in specialized journals, numerous contribution to technical congresses and meetings and many publications for the open public. Most of the research activities have been and continue to be funded by CONICET with national resources or through international agreements, and by the National Agency for the Promotion of Scientific and Technologic Research. Other national (National Commission for Aerospace Studies) and international agencies (GTZ, Gesselschaft für Technischezuzammenarbeit, Germany) and private organizations (TGS, Southern Gas Transporting Utilities), Antorchas Foundation and the National Geographic Society and Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research- National Science Foundation have contributed to financial support.

 

 

RESEARCH  LINES

General goals

Research lines aim to generate scientific knowledge on the structure, biodiversity and processes occurring in terrestrial patagonian ecosystems, at different scales, aiming to their conservation and/or the planning of their sustainable use.

Sectorial goals

  1. Analyze and relate structural and functional characteristics of the arid, semiarid and irrigated systems in Patagonia at different scales.
  2. Analyze the effects produced by different types and intensities of use upon the structure and functioning of arid, semiarid and irrigated ecosystems of Patagonia at various scales.
  3. Identify indicators of state, tendency and use intensity in patagonian terrestrial ecosystems.
  4. Cooperate in the formulation of sound managerial practices for patagonian ecosystems, basic on the scientific knowledge about their structural and functional characteristics.

Research lines

 1. Processes of Land Degradation

  • Degradation of natural areas and assessment of their effect upon various ecosystem components.
  • Indicators of ecosystem degradation stages.
  • Interpretation of digital information in satellite images as a tool to classify, map and monitor states and processes in ecosystems.
  • Evaluation of desertification risks.

2. Grassland Ecology

  • Evaluation of the productive potential of natural ecosystems.
  • Effects of domestic and native grazing upon the productive potential and functioning of grasslands.
  • Vegetation dynamics. Processes of fragmentation and reconstruction of vegetation spatial units (patches).
  • Regeneration potential of the vegetation canopy. Seed banks.
  • Nutrient cycling and processes of organic matter decomposition
  • Autoecology and reproductive ecology of key native species in the conservation of ecosystems.
  • Reintroduction of native species and recovery of ecosystem productive potential.
  • Spatial-explicit modeling of degradation and regeneration processes.

 3. Edaphic processes and quaternary geology.

  • Soil genesis and degradation. Surface crusts, wind and water erosion.
  • Geomorphology and stratigraphy of the Quaternary and their relation to edaphic processes.

4. Wildlife survey, ecology and management.

  • Biology, ecology, biogeography and conservation status of terrestrial wildlife in Patagonia.
  • Potential managerial uses.
  • Relations between domestic and native herbivores: herbivory and granivory.

5. Ecological processes in irrigated valleys.

  • Relations between land use patterns and ecological risk indicators.
  • Transport, fate and effects of pesticides and toxic substances.
  • Modeling ecological processes in irrigated environments.

6. Ecology of salt marshes

  • Factors modelling SALT marshes structure
  • Uv effect on the vegetation of SALT marshes

 

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