The Pampean grassland It is an ecoregion that covers several areas in Uruguay, southern Brazil and part of Paraguay. However, most of these pampas grasslands are found in Argentina.
Ecoregions are large areas of the earth's surface that are geographically different but with characteristic fauna and flora adapted to that environment. These regions are also defined by factors such as climate, relief, geology, soils, and vegetation..
On the other hand, the term pampa has its origin in Quechua and means plain, specifically plain between mountains. This plain was discovered by the Spanish in the 16th century. The discovery was made in the course of an expedition that came from the Andean region. With regard to the term grassland, it refers to any type of ecosystem where herbaceous vegetation predominates..
In the 17th century, the first European immigrants began to use natural grasslands to raise livestock. Due to the great extension of these territories, no environmental impact was caused during the first years.
However, in recent decades, the ecosystem has been threatened by the introduction of exotic forage species. These species do not belong to the ecosystem, which has resulted in an environmental imbalance.
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The Pampean grassland starts from the center of Argentina (Atlantic coast) and is oriented towards the Andean mountain range (Uruguay). It is bounded on the north by Gran Chaco and on the south by Patagonia.
The largest extension of these grasslands, which corresponds to Argentina, is located to the south of the city of Buenos Aires, between 34 ° and 30 ° south latitude, and between 57 ° and 63 ° west latitude..
The Pampean grassland is one of the most fertile areas in the world. The composition of the land is not uniform throughout the pampas. But there is a predominance of black soils, very rich chemically and with intense biological activity..
These soils are mixed with fine mineral particles, which has favored the formation of a thick layer of humus.
On the other hand, the pampa has a gradual slope from northwest to southeast. It passes 500 m a.s.l. at 20 m a.s.l. This creates a slope that facilitates the drainage of stagnant water and favors agriculture..
The western dry zone is largely barren with salt fields, sandy deserts, and brackish streams. To the east, in a smaller area, are the humid sections of the pampas.
Includes part of the province of Buenos Aires, the economic center of Argentina and the most populated area of the country.
Native herbaceous plants abound in this region. Some of these varieties include criolla barley, flying straw, black flechilla, white romerillo, carqueja and sheep's yerba.
In the same way, reeds, reeds and reed beds are part of its flora. In total, in the Pampean pasture there are approximately 450 types of grasses, 200 of forage legumes and more than 370 different species of grasses.
Trees are rare in the pampas, and frequent spontaneous forest fires allow only grasses to flourish.
However, eucalyptus, pine, ash and the like have begun to be introduced. This is being done for wood harvesting and ornamental purposes..
The native animal species of the Pampean grassland are scarce. Among them you can find skunks and small herds of guanacos. Carnivores include cougars, Geoffrey's cats, and pampas foxes.
Other mammals include vizcachas, Pampean cuis, otters, and possums. In the group of birds, the ñandú, the chajá, chimangos, hawks and owls stand out. In addition, a wide variety of migratory birds make their annual stop in the Pampean area during their seasonal trip..
Also, livestock activities have promoted the introduction of cattle into the active fauna of the Pampas. The cattle with which the first settlers found were wild and hunted for their meat and skins.
Subsequently, due to the richness of the pasture, permanent settlements began for economic purposes of exploitation of livestock.
At present, breeds of cattle brought from England and Scotland share the ecosystem with varieties originating from the pampas. Finally, it is estimated that sheep, pigs and horses inhabit these pastures as a result of economic activity..
The Pampean prairie is included within the temperate climate zones. The average annual temperature of 15 ° C. However, in the winter time, cold waves are very common, with temperatures below 0 ° C.
Annual rainfall varies between 900 and 1000 mm per year in the northwest. To the west and south, these are around 400 mm.
Likewise, the Pampas are characteristic of the area. These are storms originated when cold winds from the south collide with warm air from the tropical north..
This results in violent winds accompanied by heavy rain. Other predominant winds are those from the southeast and those of the sorte. The first blows from the Atlantic, are accompanied by rain and cause storms. On the other hand, the north winds come from the tropical zone, and bring heat and humidity.
The pampa region and its grasslands have had great importance in Argentina's economy. At first, this economic activity was limited to the sale of skins from wild cattle..
Progressively, this activity increased with the importation of bovine varieties, agro-industrial farms and the delimitation of spaces. Currently, beef is one of the two major products of the Pampean plain.
Likewise, other factors that have driven livestock are improvements in roads and highways, together with the development of rail networks.
On the other hand, cereals are another economically important product of the pampas. In 60% of the Pampean territory soybeans, wheat, barley, rye, corn and flax seeds are grown. Other items that come from the pampas are fruits, vegetables and annual oilseeds (such as sunflower).
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