North-western Argentina Soils

Abstract

The North-western Argentina region is essentially linked to the formation and evolution of the Andes Mountains. It is characterized by high altitudes, that can reach 6800 m above sea level (Ojos del Salado and Pissis) that are progressively reduced towards the East. From the climatic point of view, it is an essentially arid to semi-arid region, with strong thermal gradients mainly controlled by the local altitude. The distribution of rainfall is also condi- tioned by the altitude of the mountain ranges and the location with respect to the humid NE winds. In this chapter, the region was subdivided taking into account its morphostructural and bioclimatic features. In such sense, four sectors were distinguished from West to East: a) lithic and saline soils of the Puna and the Cordillera Oriental (Eastern Cordillera); b) poorly developed and arid soils of the Sierras Pampeanas Noroccidentales (North-western Pampean Ranges): c)forest soils of the Sub-Andean Ranges; d) moderately developed soils of the Chaco Plain.