Futaleufú Model Forest: International Development Research Centre

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ID: 23365

Added: 2002-11-27 14:35

Modified: 2006-07-19 11:50

Refreshed: 2007-03-23 08:19

Futaleufú Model Forest

Document(s) 3 of 4

Country:
Argentina
Location:
Chubut Province, southern Argentina
Year joined IMFN:
1998
Area:
738 000 hectares
Regional affiliation:
Regional Model Forest Network for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC-Net)

Forest and resource profile

This model forest is located in the Futaleufú watershed, in the Patagonian region of Argentina. The area includes Los Alerces National Park, provincial land and a few private properties. Some 35 000 people live in the region.

The Model Forest has a temperate cold forest formation, ranging from sub-humid to humid. Almost 50% of the region is covered by natural deciduous Lenga forest (Nothofagus pumilio) in the highlands and Ñire (Nothofagus antártica) in the plateaus, as well as mountainous Cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis) and Coihue evergreen forests (Nothofagus dombeyi). There is a relict (patch) of Larch (Fitzroya cupressoides) in the Los Alerces National Park. The lowlands are a combination of Andean plains and Patagonian steppes.

Economic profile

The main economic activities in the region are livestock, forestry and tourism. Agricultural production in the fertile valleys is devoted mainly to livestock, as well as horticulture and floriculture on a smaller scale. The downfall of the wool industry and subsequent changes in national and international markets during the 1980’s had an adverse effect on the area's economy. This has since been alleviated by economic growth fuelled by the tourism industry.

Why a model forest?

Cattle raising practices and varied management processes are endangering the forest's natural resources. Very few alternative means of production have been developed in the area. Several local institutions are actively involved in natural resource management, but they lack integration and collaboration.

Partners

The National Park Administration
Provincial Government Directorate of Forests and Parks
Municipalities of Esquel, Trevelin and Cholila
INTA(Institute for Agricultural Technologies)
CIEFAP (Andean Patagonian Centre for Research and Extension)
ALAPA (Los Andes Association of Agricultural and Livestock Producers)
National University of Patagonia
Esquel Rural Society
Foundation Educándonos

Strategic Goals

Consolidate an integrated planning and management process for natural resources in the watershed
Solve the problems associated with scattered administration, which govern the management of natural resources in the area
Complement and strengthen the participation and training of local and regional organizations and individuals involved
Reverse the problems caused by cattle-raising practices
Reach a significant rate of reforestation in the areas affected by resource degradation.
Expand the use of appropriate forestry practices and techniques, in order to sustainably manage the native species used by the forest industry

Accomplishments to date

Establishment of a fire management and prevention centre
Creation of an environmental education centre
Economic diversification of forest products for export, such as aromatic distillation of tree branches
Diversification and industrialization of farming and fruit orchards
Research on the industrialization and optimization of wood use
Establishment of a native and exotic tree nursery
Extension and diffusion through local media, demonstration sites and networking

Contact information

Julio Baliño
medioambiente@esquel.gov.ar
Karina Araqué.
dirmedioambiente@esquel.gov.ar
Website:
http://www.medioambiente.gov.ar/default.asp?IdArticulo=294

Document(s) 3 of 4