Ecosystem services and disservices associated with pastoral systems from Patagonia, Argentina – A review

Pastoral systems worldwide secure rural livelihoods in the harshest environments on Earth. Their low productivity per area unit or head makes them subject of much criticism with regard to their environmental impact, particularly relation global warming, desertification and land degradation. Such is case traditional pastoral Patagonia, a vast isolated region where sedentary mobile pastoralism coexist contribute shape landscapes cultures. We argue that provide wide range ecosystem services may compensate for negative impact environment. review scarcely available evidence from Patagonia identify disservices associated pastoralism, pay special attention carbon balance: C footprints between 10 40 kg CO 2 -eq.kg −1 carcass, dry are below within semi-extensive livestock (35–45 -eq. carcass). To inform development policy, assessment trade-offs synergies needs incorporate intertwined social ecological dynamics complex systems, along resource regenerative trajectories.