MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE LAND USE IN THE PROVINCE OF TIERRA DEL
FUEGO, ARGENTINA
A Planning Approach
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. General situation
On its argentine side, the island of Tierra del Fuego is covered to more
than 30% by virgin forests, largely untouched. They are composed of three
species belonging to the genus Nothofagus : Nothofagus pumilio, N. betuloides,
N. antarctica., with the first one being by far the most important. Due
to the mountainuous topography, these forests have a great value because
of their ecological effects. At the same time actual land uses such as
timber production and tourism are of considerable economic importance.
Logging operations have begun already at the beginning of this century.
Because of lack of planning and application of sound silvicultural methods
they have caused severe forest degradation. Preliminary estimations indicate,
that about 17 % of the 290 000 ha covered by forests apt and provided for
timber production have been affected by a type of harvest that took out
only the very best individuals, leaving the less valuable rest. It can
be considered as a fortunate, that all these Nothofagus forests are easily
and confiably able to regenerate instantaneouosly, so that - no matter
what intervention was carried out- the permanence of the forests was assured.
This traditional way of forest explotation will be strongly modified
by the appearance of an american company which has bought more than 200
000 ha of forests on the chilean side of Tierra del Fuego and around 50
000 ha of forests in the argentine portion, still intending to increase
this area of property. In spite of its declarations to ensure an ecologicaly
based land and forest management, some local environmental organizations
have impacted public opinion, mainly in Ushuaia, indicating that large
forest areas will suffer serious and perhaps irreversible ecological and
esthetic damages from the activities of this company.
On the other hand, since 1992 tourism yearly increased by 17%. Even
when 27% of tourists arriving at Ushuaia continue travelling to the Antartics,
most people remain on the island. But even so hardly exist a touristic
interest related to forest landscapes. Tourists visit almost exclusively
the unique Tierra del Fuego National Park, while other sites , even if
they are of great great scenic beauty are visited only by chance.
The Constitution of the Province of Fireland includes an ecological
chapter , representing the first example of this kind in Argentina. At
the same time, the Environmental provincial law expresses that environment
conservation, defense and improvement as main component comprehends planning
of territorial management and the sustained development process. It is
for these reasons, that the government of Tierra del Fuego supports the
plan here presented.. In addition it should be pointed out that there exists
a severe interest not only in these high levels of politics but also in
the community to have scientific tools for developing a responsible ecological
management.
1.2. Objectives
Main objective of the project is to develop a quantitative scientific and
technical basis for the administrative and practical sustainable and multifunctional
management of forests. To reach this goal esthetic, ecological, touristic,
industrial, social and economical aspects have to be studied. More detailed
goals of the research are:
Determination of forest landscape units as a basis for protection, tourism
and forest production measures..
Development of concepts for a forest landscape planning of easy practical
applicability..
Development of a detailed set of rules for the application of forest land
use management concepts that can be incorporated by administrative levels
of all governmental institutions and organisations of the province which
have to regulate and promote all possible forests uses.
1.3. The Study Area
For the field research a model area was selected ( see map) between the
Canal Beagle in the South the lakes Yehuin and Cheppelmuth in the north,
and the eastern end of lake Fagnano to the chilean border. In the northwestern
side the cataster borders of several estancias forms the limit and a secondary
road up to a national road marks the end on the northeastern side.
The final land management plan will be in a scale of 1:100 000. Aditionally,
an approach to specify landscapes of special interest will be done by investigating
and planning those areas on more detailed scale maps (1:50 000).
Aspects to be investigated are geomorphological criteria as well as
landscape esthetics, regional ecology, forest industries and tourism.
1.4. Methods
First of all a land cover classification by means of satellite and aerial
photo analysis is neccesary for the determination of representative visual
landscape units which will be one important basis for all further landscape
planning approaches. The local economy assesments will be done by investigations
on tourism and forest industries. Means are questionaries and personal
expert interviews.
1.5. Divulgation
As soon as there are results they will be published in relevant local and
international journals. But at the beginning much more important is to
send preliminary results to all public institutions that will participate
in the project. They urgently need information to facilitate decisions
concerning forest land use management that cannot be delayed until the
final results of the project are available. In addition during the elaboration
period at the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Munich several seminars
on this issue are planned.