| Sumario: | The study region is one of the most endangered area from wind erosion in the country.
This process, coupled with recurrent droughts in last decades and the mishandling
of productive practices have generated desertification. This study presents a review
of the interaction of these processes based on literature, field survey and perception
of producers. Recommendations for rehabilitation are proposed. The area covers
6.5 million hectares, hosting in 2002: 550,000 people and 7,825 farms in irrigated and
non-irrigated lands. Irrigated lands are devoted to agricultural production. Non-irrigated
have a mixed production system (beef cattle-wheat). Mean annual rainfall in 1940-2014
was 407 mm. In 60% of these years, rainfall was below the mean. Desertification in the
area is a consequence of drought and mismanagement. In wet cycles, producers increase
stocking rate and wheat-sown area using the same practices of the humid pampa. As a
consequence of dry cycles, land is abandonment and fields covered by sand and invasive
plants. Over 20 cm of soil has blown away and sand accumulates in fences and stays
suspended in the atmosphere, reaching Bahía Blanca city and up to 400 km into the
Atlantic Ocean. The area requires deep structural changes in production systems and
their management. Emphasis should be on sustainable management, which involves a
mentality change of producers and decision makers. Recommendations were made for
cleared and non-cleared lands.
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