Distribución espacial y controles ambientales de las represas (tajamares) en el Chaco Árido

• DOI: 10.25260/ea.22.32.1.0.1797
• Publication Date: 2022-02-24T16:42:38Z
• Authors: Marcos J. Niborski; Francisco Murray; Esteban G. Jobbágy; Marcelo D. Nosetto; Pedro D. Fernández; George Castellanos; Patricio N. Magliano
• Keywords: Rainwater Harvesting

Arid regions are characterized by water shortage throughout the year, which constrains both vegetation growth and supply of for livestock consumption. The Chaco (~10 Mha) hosts extensive low-investment systems based on rainwater harvesting stored in dams (small impoundments) as main source supply. In this study, we spatial distribution analyzed their relationship with biophysical variables (e.g. rainfall, vegetation, roads). For these purposes, used satellite images, vector information performed multivariate analysis a grid 135 cells 0.25°x0.25°. total, 7920 were identified (1 dam every 1230 ha), maximum densities 1 185 ha but also without associated presence mountains, salt flats dunes. Dam density was higher establishments, roads cattle stock (r=0.63, r=0.56 r=0.51, respectively; P<0.01 all cases), mean annual rainfall lower interannual variability (r=0.62 r=-0.47, cases). Although best-associated variable at regional scale, weakened towards extremes gradient (arid sub-humid). This may be due to anthropic factors such low profitability systems, previous land uses or land-use changes. results study represent first attempt assess importance impoundments Chaco. We believe that useful not only understand production, future studies related conservation wildlife development rural towns region.