Geopedology and land degradation in North-West Argentina

Abstract

The subtropical region of north-western Argentina shows marked land degradation resulting from unrestricted use of ecosystems during the last centuries. From a geopedologic perspective, the land historical occupation and the distinctive features of the relief-soil relationship in a representative area, the province of Tucumán, are described in this work. For assessing the intensity and distribution of soil erosion in the region, soil potential loss is mapped at small scale, based on geomorphic sectorization and criteria of Universal Soil Loss Equation. Models of land erosivity are developed in two scenarios of future climate change from extreme rainfall values recorded over the last century. The assessment of erosion hazard at small scale using USLE, tele detection and geographic information system, helps develop programs oriented to the recovery of extensive degraded and desertified regions, through management systems adapted to current and future environmental conditions.