Working Group for Campos
[Northern Uruguay, Northeastern Argentina, Southern Brazil, Southern Paraguay]


The Campos ecosystem zone covers approximately 40 M ha in Northeastern Argentina, Northern Uruguay, Southern Brazil and Southern Paraguay. Firm links for collaboration have been established in the field of grassland and forage resources (research, training, extension), with the aim of transferring appropriate improved technology to farmers and livestock producers. Both Government institutions and the private sector, made up of local producers, take part.

Cooperation within the Working Group provides the basis for establishing sustainable intensified agricultural and livestock production systems making greater use of leguminous species (both herbaceous and woody, with appropriate management).

A major priority has been seed production for grasses and legumes. 

The types of activity the group engages in include:

  • long-term ecological studies of the Campos ecosystem, including improvements and various grazing management demonstrations;
  • training courses and strengthening of facilities for seed production;
  • rehabilitation of degraded grasslands by natural and mechanical means;
  • intensive forage production for improving seasonal production;
  • use of leucaena and other legumes; 
  • intensification, collection and multiplication of valuable indigenous germplasm (grasses, legumes, trees).

International Coordinator and Secretary: Dr. Stella Altuve Saltuve@ibera.net

Meetings are held every two years in various locations. Limited funds for field demonstrations, specific research, training, etc. are made available.

ICARRD Special Thematic Session: Optimization of agricultural production while protecting natural ecosystems: the case of Southern Brazil held on March, 8, 2006

The XXI Campos Group Meeting was held in Pelotas, Brazil october 24 - 26, 2006 with the title "Challenges and opportunities of the Campos Biome considering the rapid expanding and intensification of agriculture”. Click to view some of the presentations.

The XX Campos Group Meeting was held in Salto, Uruguay, September 28 to September 30, 2004, organized by the Agronomy College, Universidad de la República. The central theme of the Meeting was:" Sustainability, Development and Conservation of Campos Area Ecosystems". Proceedings are now available.

The XIX Campos Group Meeting meeting "Reunion Del Grupo Tecnico en Forrajeras del Cono Sur-Zona Campos" was held 22-24 October, 2002 in Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina. Proceedings are now available. For more information contact: the coordinator Secretary: Dr. Stella Altuve [Saltuve@ibera.net]. Click here to read the major outcomes of the XIX Meeting.

The XVIII Campos Group Meeting "Dinâmica da Vegetaçâo em Ecossistemas as pastorís" was held in Brasil, 2000. Proceedings are available from Stella Altuve [Saltuve@ibera.net]

Papers and Publications
List of Group Members