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The objective of this investigation was to reconstruct the middle 19th century distribution of the native forest in the western valleys of the Monte Desert. The goal was to generate a baseline for understanding the status of algarrobales y retamales (Prosopis flexuosa y Bulnesia retama) just prior to large-scale exploitation, first by mining activities and then the construction of the railway. The sources used were traveler’s diaries, business documents, descriptions by early naturalists, information provided by expeditions, scientific publications and government documents. Through the analysis of these data sources, the total surface area of native forests was estimated for 1850, as well as approximated limits of principal clusters of native forests. The study began with the assumption that the historic distribution of native forests would have had a high spatial correlation with the most densely populated and agricultural areas, where there would have been accentuated competition for use of the region’s land and natural resources. |
