Learning for adaptation to Climate Change: Analysis of adaptation strategies of smallholders in the Argentinean Chaco forest as a basis for effective mobilization of local potentials on sustainable natural resource management

In the Chaco region, deforestation, soy expansion and land struggles are demanding and urging issues that are currently at the centre of a polemic debate in Argentina. Most critical is the discussion on the rights and role of the local population in a highly dynamic environment, in particular considering the massive effects of climate change to be expected in the future.

Adapting to change is nothing new for local people at Argentinean Chaco Region. On course of continuous adaptations, they became competent natural resource managers. Learning about their way of responding to change and challenges and the underlying drivers would help to define more accurate ways of supporting them for both: (i) to reduce vulnerability and to consolidate local livelihoods, and (ii) to promote and effectively mobilize local potentials to face Climate Change

Therefore, this research analysis the capacities and limitations of rural dwellers as protectors respectively restaurateurs of natural resources and climate, as well as on the drivers and possibilities to stimulate eventually existing potentials at local scale to foster sustainable rural development. This research tackles an issue not only relevant for the Argentinean context but also providing important contributions to the global debate on sustainable rural development and climate change mitigation and adaptation