Coupled socio-ecological changes in response to soybean expansion along the 2001–2010 decade in Argentina

Abstract

The socio-economic benefits and environmental spillover effects of the international soybean trade have commanded scientific attention in recent years. This is particularly true for exporting countries, where soybean has promoted the replacement of other agricultural productions and also the an also the transformation of native ecosystems. Better understanding of the problem requires spatially disaggregated analysis of these dimensions, with focus on their interactions. This study assessed socio-ecological trends at county scale during the 2001–2010 growing expansion period of soybean cultivation in Argentina. The study sample comprised 126 counties within (1) the Chaco region, one of the largest natural forest regions until the expansion of the agricultural frontier; and (2) the Pampa region, the largest agricultural production area in the country. The relative variation of socio-economic, ecological and agricultural indicators was calculated for examination of patterns of variation and interrelation through uni- and multivariate analyses. Results indicate different patterns and trade-offs among soybean expansion, socio-economic and ecological indicators of soybean expansion, socio-economic and ecological. Soybean expansion, which mainly occurred in the Pampa region, was based on the replacement of other crops and pastures as well as the loss of livestock and ecosystem services provision. At the same time, the expansion of soybean promoted immigration and unemployment, and reduced improvements in alphabetization and growth in economically active population density. The pattern of soybean expansion triggered notable trends, mostly in the Chaco region where they were related to deforestation and rangeland loss. Findings of the study highlight the utility of a coupled approach in revealing socio-ecological patterns that may not be possible through more fragmentary analyses. • Spillover effects of global soybean trade were examined for the Argentine case. • Socio-ecological changes were related to soybean expansion at the county level. • Land use changes triggered indirect effects on social indicators. • Partially coupled socio-ecological changes varied between agricultural regions.