Abstract

Site-specific management (SSM) is a key strategy for optimizing inputs in agriculture and livestock production by accounting for the spatial variability of ecosystem properties. Due to the ongoing degradation of Patagonian Vegas (wetland meadows), SSM may provide a framework for sustainable livestock and agricultural management in these ecosystems. This study aimed to assess spatial variability and relationships between soil properties, water dynamics, and vegetation distribution in a Patagonian Vega and to classify and group soil and ecosystem properties into distinct management zones, providing a functional framework for land-use planning and conservation. A grid-based sampling approach was used to assess soil, water, and plant biodiversity across seven topographic zones: northern summit, northern high and low footslopes, center of the Vega, southern low and high footslopes, and southern summit. Five key soil variables-bulk density (BD), aluminum pyrophosphate (Alp), soil organic carbon (SOC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE)-were analyzed using geostatistics, along with soil moisture (M), water table height (WT), soil classification, and plant biodiversity. The results revealed strong spatial dependence of soil and water variables, differentiating three to five zones depending on the indicator used. While wetter, organic-rich areas may support higher productivity and grazing, they are also more vulnerable to degradation considering that the higher soil moisture decreases the mechanical stability of the soil. Conversely, drier, shallower soils may require conservation-focused management. These findings provide a foundation for future land-use planning, though further studies are needed to experimentally assess the long-term effects of different management strategies on soil stability and ecosystem resilience.