TY - JOUR

T1 - Navigating social–ecological changes

T2 - A mixed-method analysis of extensive livestock systems in southern Patagonian forests, Argentina

AU - Rodríguez, Paula

AU - Benra, Felipe

AU - Fischer, Joern

AU - Romano, Silvina

AU - Soler, Rosina

N1 - Funding Information: Funding was provided by National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET), the National Agency for Scientific Promotion through project PICT 2019 675, and IUFRO\u2019s Short Scientific Visit Program (International Union of Forest Research Organizations). Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 2024.

PY - 2024/4/18

Y1 - 2024/4/18

N2 - Sustainable livestock management plays a crucial role in food production, climate change mitigation, and cultural preservation. Our study aimed to identify and analyse the diversity of social–ecological conditions that characterize extensive livestock systems in southern Patagonia. We integrated data collected from interviews and secondary sources and analysed data using hierarchical cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling to identify distinct ranching types. A qualitative analysis of key informant interviews identified key social–ecological changes for each type. The results emphasize the impact of administration, production, and biophysical factors on shaping different livestock ranching schemes. Further, we identified three significant social–ecological changes driving the dynamics of these systems, including shifts from (1) sheep to cattle ranching, (2) domestic to feral cattle ranching, and (3) landowners to tenant land managers. These findings have implications for policymakers seeking to develop strategies tailored to diverse realities, ensuring the sustainability of livestock systems in Tierra del Fuego.

AB - Sustainable livestock management plays a crucial role in food production, climate change mitigation, and cultural preservation. Our study aimed to identify and analyse the diversity of social–ecological conditions that characterize extensive livestock systems in southern Patagonia. We integrated data collected from interviews and secondary sources and analysed data using hierarchical cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling to identify distinct ranching types. A qualitative analysis of key informant interviews identified key social–ecological changes for each type. The results emphasize the impact of administration, production, and biophysical factors on shaping different livestock ranching schemes. Further, we identified three significant social–ecological changes driving the dynamics of these systems, including shifts from (1) sheep to cattle ranching, (2) domestic to feral cattle ranching, and (3) landowners to tenant land managers. These findings have implications for policymakers seeking to develop strategies tailored to diverse realities, ensuring the sustainability of livestock systems in Tierra del Fuego.

KW - Land-use

KW - Rural development

KW - Social–ecological systems

KW - Sub-antarctic forests

KW - Sustainability

KW - Typology

KW - Environmental planning

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85191709079&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s13280-024-02029-0

DO - 10.1007/s13280-024-02029-0

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 38684629

AN - SCOPUS:85191709079

JO - Ambio

JF - Ambio

SN - 0044-7447

ER -