Relevance of the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Rangeland Management to Conditions in Patagonia (Argentina)

Abstract

Patagonia’s rangelands are similar to those in western United States in terms of climate, topography, and vegetation physiognomy. However, differences in environmental, economic, and societal values do exist between regions. We assessed the usefulness of C&I (Criteria and Indicators) developed in the United States for other countries, and identified indicators not included in the SRR (Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable) set that would be important for monitoring the sustainability of Patagonia’s rangelands. Most of SRR’s C&I were relevant to conditions in Patagonia (Argentina). Less than half the indicators were applicable, however, due to the relative paucity of data and validated models. This exercise suggested that a shorter list of essential indicators may be necessary to realistically conduct regional long-term assessments of overall sustainability of rangeland ecosystems in developing countries.

Parent Publication

• Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere

Citation

Cibils, Andrés F.; Oliva, Gabriel E. 2006. Relevance of the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Rangeland Management to Conditions in Patagonia (Argentina). In: Aguirre-Bravo, C.; Pellicane, Patrick J.; Burns, Denver P.; and Draggan, Sidney, Eds. 2006. Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 67-74