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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.