MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina's Patagonia with “85% degree of desertification”

Three quarters of Argentina's territory, particularly Patagonia, shows signs of degradation or desertification, a problem that could accentuate in the future with global climate changes, according to Argentina's Agriculture Technology Institute.

Desertification is described as a "scourge of global dimension" and Argentina has 75% of its territory exposed is in arid or semiarid regions.

But Patagonia is Argentina's most affected since 85% has "some degree of desertification" while another 12% suffers "irreversible conditions", points out the INTA report which is supported by a diagnosis from Germanys' Development and Cooperation Corporation, GTZ.

Desertification is particularly strong in Patagonia, Chaco and northeast Argentina, because the "dry areas" are also the poorest of the country, indicates GTZ.

However other provinces such as Mendoza renowned for its wines, is also exposed to "serious environmental problems", since 72% of its territory is arid with "a high or very high risk".

"To the natural fragility of the territory because of its aridness, the impact of human activity and ill use of resources must be added. The combination of these two factors leads to desertification. All of Mendoza province is in the risk zone", warns Elena Abraham from the Desertification and Territorial Outlay Lab.

GTZ points out to some of the main desertification causes: massive logging of natural forests; over pasturing; burning steppes and inadequate agriculture techniques.

"We are aware that desertification and drought affect sustainable development given its close link with important social problems such as poverty, food security and migration effects", admits the INTA report.

The dry and arid areas most exposed hold population with per capita income below Argentina's average and a majority of rural homes with "unsatisfied basic needs".

INTA also points out that 60% of Argentina's trade comes from agriculture exports, "which makes the country particularly vulnerable in the absence of an adequate policy for the conservation, prevention and recovery of its natural resources".

Argentina's Congress is currently considering legislation which would provide funds for the Conservation of soil and combating desertification; a demand which was exposed publicly early this month on Environmental Day by green organizations.