The climate of Patagonia: General patterns and controls on biotic processes

J. M. Paruelo, A. Beltran, E. Jobbagy, O. E. Sala, R. A. Golluscio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

568 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this article we review the main characteristics of the Patagonian climate, the spatial and temporal patterns of the most important climatic variables, and the influence of climate on ecosystem processes. The winter distribution of precipitation determines an asynchrony between the wet and the growing season in Patagonia. The amount of water that can be transferred from the wet season to the growing season depends mainly on the physical characteristics of the soil. In the semiarid steppe of Chubut, drainage accounted for 10% of annual precipitation. Winter distribution of precipitation determines also an asynchronic dynamics of evaporation and transpiration fluxes. The ENSO phenomenon have a significant impact on regional precipitation. In central-west Patagonia, spring precipitation (September to November) was lower than normal during La Nina events and greater than normal during El Nino events. From December to February the opposite pattern can be observed: higher than normal precipitation during La Nina events and lower than normal precipitation during El Nino events. The impact of this phenomenon on the seasonal temperature was not as clear as for precipitation. We did not detect any temporal trends in annual precipitation for the period 1961-1996. The phenology of carbon gains is quite homogeneous in Patagonia. Most of the region showed a peak of production in November, when, simultaneously, water availability and temperature are high. Toward the west, production peaked later (December). Deciduous forests showed the peak in January and February.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)85-101
Number of pages17
JournalEcologia Austral
Volume8
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The climate of Patagonia: General patterns and controls on biotic processes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this