This group was established in 1993. The Patagonia cool arid desert grassland in Argentina covers 79 M ha, while the cool temperate grassland ecosystem in southern Chile covers 15 M ha and enjoys a more favourable rainfall.

The group has identified a series of priorities which should result in strategies to improve what is currently one of the most degraded grassland ecosystems in the world. 

The types of activity engaged in include: 

• formulating a long-term plan of action to provide the most appropriate strategies to reduce the current process of degradation of the grassland;
• initiating large field demonstrations of farm technologies suited to local socio-economic conditions which could alter the present trends and productivity of the grassland ecosystem;
• making use of an exchange of technologies known to member institutions in both countries which have achieved some degree of success and may be applied more widely within the region;
• intensive training in disciplines important to the improved management of the ecosystem;
• a search for adapted germplasm for similar ecologies in the world which might be used as part of a rehabilitation programme.

Presentations from the meeting on the degradation of Patagonia's pastoral land held on the 6th of April, 2006 Degradación de los sistemas pastoriles de la Patagonia are now available on-line. The meeting was organized by INIA and FAO.

Secretary for Chile and Argentina:

Celso G. Giraudo
INTA EEA Bariloche
C.C. 277
8400 Bariloche -RN
Tel: 0944-29862
Fax: 0944-24991 

Papers and publications

• A chapter on "The Grasslands of Patagonia" by Andrés F. Cibils and Pablo R. Borrelli is included in the FAO book "Grasslands of the World".
• A chapter entitled "Rural depopulation and grassland management in Patagonia" by Andrés F. Cibils and Pablo R. Borrelli is included in the FAO book "Grasslands: Developments Opportunities Perspectives".

• "Atlas Dietacio de herbivores Patagonias"
  The atlas provides support for taking decisions when planning the best use of native pastures in order to reduce the degradation and the process of desertification of existing grasslands. [Copies may be purchased from the Secretary of the Group]