Talking about trees: the territorial classification of native forests in the Argentinian Chaco

In the Argentinian Gran Chaco, deforestation driven by capital-intensive agriculture remains rampant despite the national forest law (NFL), with its implementation varying significantly across provinces. Research reveals that the proportion of native forests classified as low conservation value is influenced by environmental factors—such as forest cover—and socio-economic conditions, including the extent of agricultural expansion and the strength of pro-deforestation coalitions. Using a combination of the socio-ecological systems framework and historical materialism, along with qualitative comparative analysis, the study systematically explores how these contextual and economic pressures shape institutional responses to deforestation. The findings highlight that provinces with stronger pro-deforestation influences tend to downplay the conservation value of native forests, underscoring the need for targeted policies to mitigate climate change in this biodiversity hotspot.

Ceddia, M. G., Frey, S., Inguaggiato, C., & Tschopp, M. (2022). Talking about trees: the territorial classification of native forests in the Argentinian Chaco. Environmental Research Letters, 17(2), 25012. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac4656