Abstract

BILENCA, David et al. Impacts of agricultural transformation on biodiversity in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Rev. Mus. Argent. Cienc. Nat. [online]. 2012, vol.14, n.2, pp.189-198. ISSN 1853-0400.

: Agricultural practices have a series of profound transformations on natural systems. Similarly to what have happened in other regions, the introduction of agro-ecosystems in the Pampas of the province of Buenos Aires in Central Argentina has substantially modified its structure and functioning, with consequent changes for regional biodiversity. In this paper we summarize the main findings of the studies conducted by our research group regarding the impact of agricultural practices on biodiversity in Buenos Aires province during the last 2-3 decades, namely: 1) agriculturization has resulted in detectable changes in the abundance and distribution of many vertebrate species, particularly in retractions of species of birds and mammals associated with grasslands, highlighting the need to maintain pastoral landscapes with large areas of natural grasslands, as several endangered species are found exclusively in such landscapes, 2) in highly fragmented agricultural landscapes, maintenance of natural vegetation along roadsides, embankments and fences helps to retain a significant fraction of wildlife in agroecosystems, 3) the coexistence of Pampas deer (Ozotoeeros bezoartieus) and cattle is possible under rotational grazing systems and / or under low stocking rate schemes and 4) the presence of trees is a limiting factor of the abundance of pest birds (pigeons and parrots) in the province of Buenos Aires, which raises the possibility of a proper management of these species depending on the density and type of trees to be planted.

Keywords : Pampas; Argentina; Neotropics; Grassland Birds; Biological Conservation; Management.