Defossé, G.E. and R. Robberecht. 1987. Patagonia: Range Management at the end of the world. Rangelands 9:106-109.
Introduction. Cold, disagreeable winters, arid steppes
with fierce winds at all seasons -- mixed with a bit of mystery,
romance, and adventure -- is the image that arises in the minds
of people when the word "Patagonia" is brought up.
While many similarities in climate and vegetation exist between
the semiarid lands of Patagonia and those of the western United
States, as well as similarities in the early settlement of these
regions, several key differences have led to contrasting philosophies
in the management of their respective rangelands. In Argentine
Patagonia, livestock breeding for high quality meat and wool to
satisfy the demanding markets of Europe was foremost, and care
for the land was secondary. In contrast, management of western
United States rangelands has tended to emphasize appreciation
of both livestock and vegetation. The cultural and ethnic backgrounds
of the early settlers and the concentration of wealth, educational
institutions, and political power in the Argentine capital, Buenos
Aires, have played a major role in the development of Patagonia.
This article examines some of the historical and cultural factors
that have led to the development of these two divergent land-use
philosophies and their effect on range management practices in
the United States and Patagonia.