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Grasslands of the World.pdf - Disasters and Conflicts - UNEP

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<strong>Grassl<strong>and</strong>s</strong> <strong>of</strong> Patagonia 123<br />

Figure 4.1<br />

Extent <strong>of</strong> grassl<strong>and</strong>s in Latin America.<br />

Description <strong>of</strong> Patagonia ’s climate is hampered by <strong>the</strong> low density <strong>and</strong><br />

very uneven distribution <strong>of</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r stations (40 000 km 2 /station) (Paruelo et<br />

al., 1998). Climate is influenced mostly by Pacific Ocean air masses forced<br />

inl<strong>and</strong> by prevailing westerlies, across ocean currents that are warmer than<br />

<strong>the</strong> l<strong>and</strong> masses <strong>and</strong> move towards <strong>the</strong> equator (MacArthur, 1972). The Andes

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