Resumen

ZALBA, Sergio; FIORI, Sandra  y  DI MARTINO, Sebastián. Zoning and Conflict Resolution for Nature Reserve Auca Mahuida. Rev. Univ. geogr. [online]. 2010, vol.19, n.1, pp. 71-84. ISSN 1852-4265.

Auca Mahuida is a state park covering 77,020 ha in Northeastern Neuquén. It was created to protect native habitats and ecological processes. Desertification led by oil prospecting and exploitation and overgrazing stands out among major conservation challenges. The objective of this work was to develop a management plan intended to organize and optimize current and future activities in the reserve, in order to reduce their potential interference with conservation values. Using an interdisciplinary methodology, with a strong component of professional and public participation and field surveys, we developed a zoning map and a set of recommendations intended to solve conflicts originated in the overlapping of non-compatible activities. With regard to major problems in the area, we recommended to halt oil activities; avoid livestock grazing in zones that have been historically free of sheep and goats; to remove livestock from areas of great erosion risk; and to continue raising cattle in the rest of the reserve, periodically monitoring its effects on the ecosystem. Combining scientific and technical knowledge with public opinion and participation of local professionals can be mentioned among the main strengths associated to the methods used in this project. We highlight the need of periodically reviewing this plan and maintaining the participation channels used for its development.

Palabras llave : Protected Areas; Patagonic Steppe; Conservation.