National University of Catamarca

Increases in the abundance of woody species have been reported to affect the provisioning of ecosystem services in drylands worldwide. However, it is virtually unknown how multiple biotic and abiotic drivers, such as climate, grazing, and fire, interact to determine woody dominance across global drylands. We conducted a standardized field survey in 304 plots across 25 countries to assess how climatic features, soil properties, grazing, and fire affect woody dominance in dryland rangelands. Precipitation, temperature, and grazing were key determinants of tree and shrub dominance. The effects of grazing were determined not solely by grazing pressure but also by the dominant livestock species. Interactions between soil, climate, and grazing and differences in responses to these factors between trees and shrubs were key to understanding changes in woody dominance. Our findings suggest that projected changes in climate and grazing pressure may increase woody dominance in drylands, altering their structure and functioning.

The study of the raw materials used in the production of ceramic objects involves studying the materiality of the objects themselves while providing insights into the factors that guided the choice of a particular resource over another. Simultaneously, this article focuses on the social contexts in which these objects were produced. We present the results obtained through an instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of ceramics from the Corral Alto site (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca) of Argentina. The results suggest that most ceramic pieces were locally manufactured, contrasting with earlier periods and coinciding with the emergence of new ways of dwelling in the Southern Argentine Puna.

Animal pollination is crucial for the reproduction and economic viability of a wide range of crops. Despite the existing data, the extent to which citrus crops depend on pollinators to guarantee fruit production still needs to be determined. Here, we described the composition of potential pollinators in citrus (Citrus spp.) from the main growing areas of Argentina; moreover, we combined Bayesian models and empirical simulations to assess the contribution of animal pollination on fruit set and yield ha⁻¹ in different species and cultivars of lemons, grapefruits, mandarins, and oranges. Honeybee (A. mellifera L.) was the most commonly observed potential pollinator, followed by a diverse group of insects, mainly native bees. Regardless of citrus species and cultivars, the probability of flowers setting fruit in pollinated flowers was 2.4 times higher than unpollinated flowers. Furthermore, our simulations showed that about 60% of the citrus yield ha⁻¹ can be attributable to animal pollination across all species and cultivars. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain environments that support pollinator diversity and increase consumer and to producer awareness and demand in order to ensure the significant benefits of animal pollination in citrus production.

There has been an increasing interest in the study of plants used for family consumption grown in cultivated and domestic areas. Inter- and intraspecific diversity is high in the two settings as a result of management practices that respond to environmental, cultural, and market factors. Pencas or cactu, from the Cactaceae family, are found in Chaco ecoregion within the province of Córdoba. Thirteen native taxa and one exotic taxon with their vernacular names were registered, as well as 12 different uses and six management practices. Six ethno-varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica were identified that belong to two botanical forms. This species was found to be the most highly rated for its productivity and identitarian qualities, apart from being also the one that had the greatest diversity of uses. With financial support of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, work was carried out by the Secretaría de Extensión Universitaria, along with people from the community to establish a native cacti garden in Cerro Colorado, Quilino, and Chuña. Measuring equipment, tags, and leaflets were provided in order to support and make things visible for local people who still keep traditional practices transmitted through generations when manipulating native and foreign species.

Walnut yield and quality are often affected by beetle infestations, particularly those caused by Carpophilus truncatus (Murray) (Nitidulidae) and Oryzaephilus mercator (L.) (Silvanidae). Beetle damage exposes walnuts to microbial food spoilers such as Fusarium species. Insecticides currently used for beetle control are environmentally unfriendly. This work explored a green synthesis approach for copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO‐NPs) in a basic medium at 30°C by hydrolates, aqueous extracts obtained from Lippia integrifolia and Pimpinella anisum, denoted as CuO‐I and CuO‐A, respectively. Characterization through XRD, FT‐IR, Raman, UV‐visible absorbance, and AFM techniques indicated that CuO‐A and CuO‐I have a size ranging from 2‐10 nm in height. The antifungal assay showed that both have a similar efficacy (MID = 320 µg), 3‐fold stronger than CuO‐ NPs obtained in absence of hydrolates (denoted CuO‐W) (MID = 960 µg), with the broadest inhibitory halos (ID = 126‐128 mm) observed for CuO‐A. Insecticidal activity of CuO‐NPs showed a concentration‐dependent behavior, with CuO‐I showing an effect comparable to that of diatomaceous earth. SEM images confirmed the adhesion of nanoparticles to insect surfaces, which could induce oxygen deprivation and disruption of metabolic processes. Both CuO‐A and CuO‐I are promising for their use in integrated pest control in walnut storage.

Resumen Abordamos las prácticas situadas de producción alfarera registradas en el sitio El Portezuelo de Santo Domingo correspondiente a las sociedades agropastoriles tempranas (ca. 2.000 a.p.) de la Puna Meridional Argentina. Para ello, relevamos atributos tecnológicos, estilísticos y morfológicos, enfatizando en la etapa de selección y usos de materias primas, a través de análisis de petrografía de pastas. Los resultados indican un repertorio cerámico afín a otros sitios antofagasteños contemporáneos. Se aprecia cierta variación en la preparación de las pastas, propia de una producción de escala doméstica, y una recurrencia en la/las fuentes no locales de materias primas usadas y los acabados superficiales. Esto indica la existencia de modos de hacer compartidos que caracterizan a estilos negro y rojo pulidos, y de vínculos cohesivos entre distintas unidades sociales distribuidas en el área. Además, se infiere la ocurrencia de redes de relaciones que entraman un paisaje social regional que alcanza a Antofalla y los valles mesotermales. Así, se presenta un panorama más complejo de lo que hasta ahora se pensaba en el interior de la Puna Meridional Argentina, aportando a la comprensión de las variadas dinámicas sociales vinculadas a las alfarerías atacameñas.

Earth harbours an extraordinary plant phenotypic diversity¹ that is at risk from ongoing global changes2,3. However, it remains unknown how increasing aridity and livestock grazing pressure—two major drivers of global change4–6—shape the trait covariation that underlies plant phenotypic diversity1,7. Here we assessed how covariation among 20 chemical and morphological traits responds to aridity and grazing pressure within global drylands. Our analysis involved 133,769 trait measurements spanning 1,347 observations of 301 perennial plant species surveyed across 326 plots from 6 continents. Crossing an aridity threshold of approximately 0.7 (close to the transition between semi-arid and arid zones) led to an unexpected 88% increase in trait diversity. This threshold appeared in the presence of grazers, and moved toward lower aridity levels with increasing grazing pressure. Moreover, 57% of observed trait diversity occurred only in the most arid and grazed drylands, highlighting the phenotypic uniqueness of these extreme environments. Our work indicates that drylands act as a global reservoir of plant phenotypic diversity and challenge the pervasive view that harsh environmental conditions reduce plant trait diversity8–10. They also highlight that many alternative strategies may enable plants to cope with increases in environmental stress induced by climate change and land-use intensification.

The place of local community vis-a-vis non-local agents (science, state, capital) in relationships with archaeological heritage is explored through an oblique reading of a singular case in northwestern Andean Argentina. While the conflicts of territorial interests can be predicted to grow alongside the evolution of the entangled relations within the territory, the Saujil situation shows a different picture. Heritage claiming is starred by local inhabitants consciously independent from non-local discourses and powers, albeit adopting actions that are locally seen as “officially” correct (cleaning the vegetation, signalling, guiding tourists). Delving one step deeper, this research asks not just for the particular contents of local knowledge (if local or non-local) but for the local ideas about what knowledge is. Within this local theoretical framework, the relationships with the ruins developed along the process of heritage claiming described so far can be seen within a territorialized bodily, concrete and intersubjective regime of care, a local theory of relatedness.

Mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) constitutes a major fraction of global soil carbon and is assumed less sensitive to climate than particulate organic carbon (POC) due to protection by minerals. Despite its importance for long-term carbon storage, the response of MAOC to changing climates in drylands, which cover more than 40% of the global land area, remains unexplored. Here we assess topsoil organic carbon fractions across global drylands using a standardized field survey in 326 plots from 25 countries and 6 continents. We find that soil biogeochemistry explained the majority of variation in both MAOC and POC. Both carbon fractions decreased with increases in mean annual temperature and reductions in precipitation, with MAOC responding similarly to POC. Therefore, our results suggest that ongoing climate warming and aridification may result in unforeseen carbon losses across global drylands, and that the protective role of minerals may not dampen these effects.

Resumen Correlativamente a su carácter absolutamente imprescindible en los procesos biofísicos, geológicos y atmosféricos de gestación y sostenimiento de la vida en la Tierra, las aguas son entidades que, al atravesar lo humano, adquieren -junto a sus usos materiales específicos- una vasta complejidad de configuraciones semióticas, axiológicas, espirituales y religiosas. Una inconmensurable diversidad de valores y modos de uso, de sentidos y simbolismos, caracterizan a los diferentes sistemas sociohidrológicos histórico-concretos que fueran emergiendo, acompañando y delineando la trayectoria pluriversal de la aventura humana en la Tierra. Pese a semejante diversidad y complejidad, habitamos un tiempo geológico y antropológicamente signado por la gravosa hegemonía del Agua Moderna; un tiempo de crisis sistémica y de emergencia de la sintomatología más cruda de los trastornos geosociometabólicos del Capitaloceno. La actual crisis hídrica mundial es una resultante del ahogamiento de aquella vasta historia pluriversal de sistemas hidrosociales por cuenta y cargo del Agua Moderna. En este contexto, el presente texto ofrece una exploración genealógica sobre la emergencia del Agua Moderna. Apoyándonos en la historia ambiental latinoamericana y en los recursos de la ecología política del Sur, proponemos indagar el Cerro Rico del Potosí como la zona hidro-geopolítica donde tuviera lugar las nacientes de las aguas capitalocénicas que hoy inundan nuestro tiempo-espacio-de-crisis.

Reseña del libro El arte de convivir. Arqueología de las primeras aldeas en Anfama, noroeste argentino, compilado por Julián Salazar, Sociedad Argentina de Antropología, Buenos Aires, 2023. 295 pp. ISBN 978-987-1280-58-2 Reseña de Marcos N. Quesada. Instituto Regional de Estudios Socioculturales, CONICET/UNCA y Escuela de Arqueología, UNCA. Prado 366, San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Catamarca, Argentina. mkesada@yahoo.com.ar

The circular waste management system and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are critical aspects for achieving environmental sustainability goals and mitigating environmental challenges. Microbial recycling of organic wastes represents a promising approach to address these challenges. Microorganisms play a vital role in the recycling process by decomposing and transforming organic materials, offering a sustainable perspective for waste management. This chapter provides an overview of the microbial recycling of organic wastes in achieving a circular waste management system and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It explores the role of microorganisms in the decomposition and transformation of organic wastes, with a focus on their ability to convert waste materials into valuable resources. The chapter also discusses the different types of organic wastes involved and the microbial processes employed in the recycling process. Moreover, it delves into the opportunities, challenges, and future perspectives in this field, drawing upon recent scientific research. The chapter emphasizes the environmental benefits associated with microbial recycling, including the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient cycling, and resource recovery. Understanding the significance of microorganisms in organic wastes recycling can pave the way for sustainable development practices, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment. By harnessing the potential of microorganisms, we can advance towards a more efficient circular waste management system and achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

El coipo Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) es un roedor semiacuático de tamaño mediano, nativo del sur de Sudamérica. En Argentina presenta una amplia distribución. La reciente Categorización de Ma-míferos de Argentina incluye a Catamarca en su listado de provincias donde está presente, pero en su mapa de distribución la excluye. Aquí presentamos los primeros registros fehacientes de la especie en el centro de la provincia de Catamarca, sobre el Río del Valle, ampliando la distribución de la especie a un sistema acuático no reconocido hasta el momento. Este registro aporta al desarrollo de la mastozoo-logía en Catamarca y pone en evidencia la necesidad de realizar nuevas investigaciones y profundizar los trabajos preexistentes.

En el marco del estudio del género Opuntia (Cactaceae) para la Argentina se analizaron 10 nombres del grupo: Opuntia anacantha, O. bispinosa, O. brunnescens, O. discolor, O. distans, O. hildemannii, O. kiska-loro, O. pampeana, O. sulphurea y O. vulpina. El objetivo fue la designación de lectotipos, neotipos o epitipos, cuando fuera necesario; así como también resolver problemas de estatus nomenclatural o taxonómicos, para cada uno de los taxones. Se consultaron los protólogos de todos los nombres y ejemplares depositados en herbarios, a través de visitas personales o consulta de imágenes disponibles online. Para las tipificaciones se siguieron las reglas y disposiciones del Código Internacional de Nomenclatura (CIN). Se discute y modifica el estatus de los tipos designados previamente para Opuntia anacantha, O. brunnescens, O. discolor, O. distans y O. kiska-loro. Se designan: un lectotipo para O. hildemannii; neotipos para O. pampeana y O. vulpina; y un epitipo para O. sulphurea. Se explica la razón por la cual el nombre O. bispinosa carece de estatus nomenclatural. Además, se proponen dos nuevos sinónimos y una combinación.

This review has the principal objective in to hypothesise that the introduction of Lotus species could have significant benefits in constrained soils due their worldwide distribution. This idea is major based on results obtained in the lowlands of the most important livestock breeding area in Argentina denominated Salado River Basin (also called “Flooding Pampas”). Mostly of their land surface is dominated by salt-affected soils with severe constraints for traditional crop cultivation (i.e., maize, soybean, etc.). In order to increase their economic importance, farmers have utilized species such as non-native L. tenuis (ex- Lotus glaber), originating from European Mediterranean area, which shows a successfully and fast naturalization (in less than 60 years) in constrained areas improving forage performance. The increase in soil quality associated to this legume is achieved by an increment of the organic matter content and improvement of fertility and physicochemical parameters. Moreover, other studies have evidenced some genetic determinants associated with interesting agronomic traits such as plant tolerance to environmental stresses and the importance of leaves condensed tannins concentrations. This revision has many topics including a brief analysis of economic and environmental changes that occur under Lotus species implantation. In addition, we incorporate references recently published concerning the evaluation of the biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved in their adaptation to strong abiotic stresses characteristic of the region, the soil and plant microbiota diversity and soil physical and chemical characteristics associated to the presence of Lotus genotypes.

Animal pollination is crucial for the reproduction and economic viability of a wide range of crops. Despite the existing data, the extent to which citrus crops depend on pollinators to guarantee fruit production still needs to be determined. Here, we described the composition of flower visitors in citrus ( Citrus spp.) from the main growing areas of Argentina; moreover, we combined Bayesian models and empirical simulations to assess the contribution of animal pollination on fruit set and yield ha − 1 in different species and cultivars of lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, and orange in the same regions. Honeybee ( A. mellifera L.) was the most commonly observed visitor, followed by a diverse group of insects, mainly native bees. Regardless of citrus species and cultivars, the probability of flowers setting fruit in pollinated flowers was 2.4 times higher than unpollinated flowers. Furthermore, our simulations showed that about 60% of the citrus yield ha − 1 can be attributable to animal pollination across all species and cultivars. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain environments that support pollinator diversity and increase consumer and to producer awareness and demand in order to ensure the significant benefits of animal pollination in citrus production.

En una lectura oblicua de un caso singular en el Noroeste argentino se explora el lugar de las relaciones locales con el patrimonio arqueológico frente a agentes no locales: ciencia, Estado y capital. Si bien se puede predecir que los antagonismos de intereses territoriales crecerán junto con la evolución de las relaciones entrelazadas dentro del territorio, la situación analizada muestra un panorama diferente. La patrimonialización está protagonizada por habitantes locales conscientemente independientes de discursos y poderes ajenos, aunque adoptando acciones localmente vistas como “oficialmente” correctas. Profundizando en el entramado, esta investigación indaga no sólo los contenidos particulares del conocimiento local (ya sea local o no), sino también las ideas locales sobre lo que el conocimiento es. Dentro de este marco teórico local, las relaciones con las ruinas desarrolladas a lo largo del proceso de patrimonialización pueden verse, hasta ahora, dentro de un régimen de cuidado corporal, intersubjetivo, concreto y territorializado, es decir en una teoría local de la relación.

Walnut yield and quality are often affected by beetle infestations, particularly those caused by Carpophilus dimidiatus (Fabricius) (Nitidulidae) and Oryzaephilus mercator (L.) (Silvanidae). Beetle damage exposes walnut to microbial food spoilers such as Fusarium species. Insecticides currently used for beetle control are environmentally unfriendly. Pest-suppressing nanomaterials can generate innovative nanopesticide technologies leading to more sustainable and efficient farming practices. This work explores a green synthesis approach for copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) in basic medium by hydrolates obtained from Lippia integrifolia and Pimpinella anisum, denoted as CuO-I and CuO-A, respectively. Characterization through XRD, FT-IR, Raman, UV-Visible absorbance, and AFM techniques, indicated that CuO-A and CuO-I have a size ranging 2-10 nm height. Antifungal assay showed that both have a similar efficacy (MID = 320 µg), 3-fold stronger than CuO- NPs obtained in absence of hydrolates (denotes CuO-W) (MID = 960 µg), with the broadest inhibitory halos (ID = 126-128 mm) observed for CuO-A. Insecticidal activity of CuO-NPs showed a concentration-dependent behavior, with CuO-I showing an effect comparable to diatomaceous earth. SEM images confirm the adhesion of nanoparticles to insect surfaces, which could induce oxygen deprivation and disrupting of metabolic processes. Both CuO-A and CuO-I are promising for their use in integrated pest control in walnut storage.