How long is the patagonian desert

The desert, also known as the Patagonia Steppe or Magellanic Steppe, is bounded by the Patagonian Andes to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Colorado River to the north. Though the Strait of Magellan can be regarded as the southern boundary of this desert, the same desert landscapes extend further down into the Tierra del Fuego region. The topography of the Patagonian Desert is wide and varied, comprised by tablelands, massifs, valleys, canyons, and lakes of glacial origin.

The Patagonian Desert was inhabited by hunter-gatherers since a long time ago. The Tehuelche Indians were the original settlers of this land, and there settlements here probably existed as far back as 5, years ago. Guanaco and rhea were the most important animals hunted by these ancient native tribes. Later, first the Spaniards, and then the English, tried to establish colonial settlements along the Patagonian coastal region in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, but permanency of these settlements failed to exist.

Years after the independence of Argentina, the native Indians were ousted from the Patagonian region during the Conquest of Desert Campaigns in the s waged by the Europeans.

The new settlers primarily occupied the region to exploit its enormous wealth of natural resources, including the vast mineral deposits of the region.

Developing a transboundary strategy for conservation and sustainable management. The Challenge The Patagonian steppe is a vast semi-arid to arid region located on the southern tip of the continent, mainly in southern Argentina but also in Chile. A comprehensive strategy should include the following aspects: Designation of private and public protected areas; Broad adoption of sustainable systems for sheep and native fauna production and green commercialization models; Capacity building of local stakeholders in sustainable management; Policy development and adjustment; Assessment of grasslands economic value and development of financial tools that guarantee long-term conservation commitments; Evaluation of climate change impacts and identification of adaptation mechanisms; Communication and awareness campaigns.

Work area:. Patagonian Action Plan for Grasslands. However, despite the low human population, the delicate balance of life on the desert has been threatened in recent years.

The fragile ecosystem has been faced with erosion and other environmental factors, as sheep have been introduced to graze in surrounding regions. As a popular spot for ecologists and other scientific researchers, conservation efforts have become paramount for the years to come. Learn something new everyday. Get the Question of the Day delivered to your inbox each day!

In general, the vegetation of this steppe ecoregion is xerophytic and highly adapted for protection against drought, wind and herbivores. There are three main types of vegetative communities. By The Editor. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share through email. Patagonian Desert The Patagonian Desert, also known as the Patagonian Steppe, is a semiarid scrub plateau that covers nearly all of the southern portion of mainland Argentina.

Patagonian Magellanic Steppe Ecoregion The Patagonian steppe ecoregion, also known as the Magellanic Steppe, mainly covers the Patagonia region of Argentina from the Atlantic Ocean shore to barely across the border into Chile.