Uruguayan Grasslands: A Threatened Natural Asset

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 50(2)

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

ABSTRACT Grasslands are often mis‐defined, mainly due to the legacy of colonial narratives in several regions, which have described them as deforested, unproductive or wastelands. They been largely ignored global conservation and protection policies, leading increased exploitation. Although there is much accumulated evidence on ecosystem services that grasslands provide, Uruguay, this still neglected parts society for most sustainability policies. Twenty percent Uruguayan replaced by other land uses (crops forestry) recent decades. Nevertheless, large areas natural remain their preservation crucial. The aim work was show value through a brief review history multiple assets (i.e., biodiversity, services, cultural identity economic activities). We also outline some advances public policy initiatives, but emphasise such policies critically underdeveloped terms conservation, threatening existence Uruguay future generations.

Language: Английский

First steps in restoring Río de la Plata grasslands: the importance of harvest method and season

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 32(7)

Published: June 24, 2024

Current trends in agricultural intensification lead to degraded grasslands, requiring their restoration through native species reintroduction. Various techniques are available for harvesting seeds from donor sites. However, little is known about performance South American C 3 /C 4 mixed where studies scarce. Their particular composition and phenology, with different flowering periods, require specific harvest strategies. We evaluated mechanical seed a northern Uruguay grassland, part of Río de la Plata grasslands. Performance two methods (seed‐stripper dry hay) was compared seasons (late‐spring mid‐summer). The evaluation considered the quantity identity harvested seeds, germination greenhouse. Hand collections were made assess standing yield. For each mixture, efficiency harvests (number seedlings hand collection), proportion germinated transfer relative site, calculated. Results revealed trade‐offs between harvests: seed‐stripper late‐spring presented low collection (2% 5% seedlings) richness (43% transfer), but high (64%), showing selectivity toward winter species; mid‐summer hay both showed (42–154% 26–50% (65–80% resembling albeit lower (9–20%). Seed‐stripper varied seasons, while remained consistently effective. These results pioneering grassland Uruguay, encouraging future focus on establishment field.

Language: Английский