Revista Universitaria de Geografía

Nota Editorial

Cecilia A. Rodriguez — 2025-06-30

Hydro chemical characterization of the unconfined dune of the Northern sector of Villarino District, Buenos Aires Province

Matias Rey — 2025-06-30

This study presents a detailed analysis of the chemical composition of the ground water from the unconfined dune aquifer in the district of Villarino. The research involved the collection of water samples and measurement of pH values, electrical conductivity, major ions, fluoride, and arsenic. The data were plotted in various graphs and maps to better understand the processes and conditions that influence their areal distribution. The study identified the influence of atmospheric dust on rainwater chemistry as well as the effects of evapotranspiration and geomorphology conditions in the area. Groundwater exhibited a clear contrast between recharge and discharge zones, with no significant
differentiation in intermediate zones. Its composition was predominantly bicarbonate/chloride-sodium. Fluoride and arsenic concentrations showed considerable variability in both magnitude and spatial distribution, with the highest found in the plain surrounding the dune system. Finally, 56 % of the samples were suitable for irrigation, 81% for livestock, and 75 % for poultry consumption. Suitability for human consumption was found to depend on the location within the study area,
with the recharge zones showing the best chemical characteristics.

Current situation and production conditions of livestock farming in the Southern Patagonian Andes. A case study Río Turbio, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

Enzo Fasioli — 2025-06-30

This study aims to describe the current situation of livestock farming in the Río Turbio region. Production conditions were analyzed considering three dimensions: communal conditions, personal conditions, natural resource elements, as well as the main economic activities, based on assessments collected through interviews conducted in 2012 and 2023. The results revealed demands related to road infrastructure, the need to improve healthcare, education, and security services in rural areas, limitations associated with winterrelated risks, the use of natural resources, and the absence of public policies supporting the development and organization of the economic activities in the coal basin. In conclusion, although livestock farming in Río Turbio between 2012 and 2023 shows signs of progress and adaptation, these efforts must be accompanied by a policy framework that supports a sustain able and resilient transition within the sector, thus ensuring a more prosperous future for the region’s livestock community. Achieving this goal, requires coordinated action between governmental interventions and local initiatives, fostering development that is both economically and socially viable.

Religious mobility and construction of places. The Ukrainian pilgrimage to Lujan as a network of places

Fabian Flores — 2025-06-30

This paper analyzes the forms taken by the pilgrim Geographies activated by the Argentine Ukrainian community in their pilgrimage to Luján, focusing on the spatial practices, actors and, above all, the places involved in these dynamics. The complexity of the migrant community in terms of identity and religion, the singularity of sacred journey established since its inception, the ties with the “motherland”, and the political discourses that emerge in line with Ukraine’s shifting political-territorial context are some of the specificities reflected in the pilgrim landscape, which has evolved over time.

Methodologically, this is an exploratory study supported by three central strategies: i) the analysis of diverse sources (documentary, cartographic, statistical, press, and photographic); ii) experiential fieldwork through participation in religious ceremonies at the Basilica of Lujan, and iii) in-depth interviews with community leaders, organizers and devotees across different geographical contexts and through various media.

The conclusions highlight the core idea of the study: moving beyond conventional approaches to conceptualize religious mobility as a socially constructed, dense network of places.

Elite coast: tensions between vacant land and private tourist cities on the Buenos Aires coastline. The case of De La Costa District

Daniela Cortizo — 2025-06-30

In recent decades, the Buenos Aires coastline has shown a growing trend towards the commercialization of coastal space through the creation, expansion and consolidation of private tourist cities. This phenomenon is facilitated by the availability of vast areas of vacant land offering environmental and scenic advantages. In De La Costa District, large-scale urban developments emerge, where real estate ventures intersect with elite tourism transforming these territories into exclusive, socially and physically fragmented areas. Within this context, the present study examines the challenges faced by the district regarding the tension between available vacant land and the expansion of private tourist cities—a process that brings into question the role of the State and the market in urbanization. The findings aim to foster a debate on how vacant land is occupied along the Buenos Aires coastline, by whom, for whom, and how such land could remain unused or be allocated to alternative purposes.

Irrigation water conflicts in San Juan: an analysis from a political ecology perspective and the experience of irrigators

Margarita Moscheni — 2025-06-30

“Watering is not pleasant,” says Yanina as she recalls the arduous task of monitoring the floodgate when it is her turn to receive water—sometimes at 3 a.m. This article aims, on the one hand, to analyze irrigation-related conflicts in San Juan, a province in arid western Argentina from a qualitative and political ecology perspective, and, on the other, to suggest public policy guidelines that could help mitigate such conflicts.

This article presents evidence of practices that, although illegal, have become normalized among users. These practices are analyzed through power relations within the framework of political ecology, which views water as a contested public good. The main contribution is the systematization of localized conflicts, shaped by specific territorial dynamics and the diverse actors involved (agricultural irrigators, domestic water users, government entities, among others).

Primary data sources include specialized academic literature, official reports, and interviews with key informants. Through this case study, the article seeks to contribute to the improvement of water management and distribution systems, promoting a more equitable allocation.

Urban trees: Analysis of composition and distribution in Mayor Villafañe, Formosa-Argentina

Orlando Daniel Merlo — 2025-06-30

The arboreal element in urban contexts represents a valuable resource due to functions they provide, as the quality of life of city residents is largely influenced by the condition and abundance of existing green spaces. The objective of this research is to determine the composition and distribution of urban trees in the green areas of Mayor Villafañe, Argentina. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in the town’s green spaces, identifying the present species and recording their geolocation using GPS technology, which was later processed in a GIS environment. A total of 322 individual trees were recorded, representing 39 species across 18 families. Among them, 18 species are native, while 21 are introduced. This scenario mirrors a broader pattern in Latin America, where non-native species tend to dominate urban green spaces. The findings highlight a medium to high level of species diversity, as well as relevance of using GIS as a support tool in urban management, contributing significantly to the planning and development of interdisciplinary interventions.