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Argentina is 3 million km
2
, with altitudes ranging from 7000 m in the Andes in the west to sea level in
the east. Therefore, the diversity in vertical and horizontal biogeographical regions is of extraordinary
magnitude. About two thirds of this vast territory is associated with arid and semi-arid rangeland ecosystems. This work provides a comprehensive assessment showing the distribution of the main rangeland phytogeographical regions ranging from the hot deserts and semi-deserts in the north to the cold
subantartic arid zones in Patagonia. The intensive use of these lands was initiated with the arrival of
Europeans in the region about 120–150 years ago. Although population density always remained very
low, they introduced their new domestic animals which contributed to vegetation degradation and soil
erosion because of overgrazing and poor management. Deforestation, fuelwood harvesting, and occasionally plowing of non-arable lands were contributing factors to the present situation in these regions
where progressive signs of the various forms of land degradation are clearly evident. Desertification
has become one of the most serious environmental problems for the rangeland territories of Argentina.
Fortunately the present devastation has not reached an irreversible stage. We can foresee improvements in land use which may ensure its sustainability.
(source:abstract)