Located in the far south of Brazil and shared with Argentina and Uruguay, the Pampas are one of the least known biomes outside of South America yet plays a central role in both agricultural production and ecological sustainability. Understanding this biome is essential for understanding the local beef and soy production chains linked to European markets and global sustainability requirements.
Beeld: LAN-Argentina
LAN-teams visits farm on the Argentinian Pampas
A little-known but strategic South American Biome
The Pampas, with its open landscape, fertile soils, wetlands, and temperate climate forms one of the largest natural grassland areas in the world. According to a recent analysis (2023), this biome covers 6.1% of South America (109.2 Million ha) and only 35% of the natural vegetation - primarily grassland - still remains intact (59% in Argentina, 26% in Uruguay, and 15% in Brazil).
In Argentina, which comprises most of this biome, it stretches from the Buenos Aires province (the so-called “Humid Pampas”) to the northeast of Patagonia, forming the country’s most productive agricultural heartland. In Uruguay, it covers much of the territory, underpinning its export oriented livestock and dairy sector, while in Brazil it covers the most southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, a large beef and soybean producer. In all of these countries, the inhabitants of the Pampas are called “Gauchos”, whose culture mixes indigenous, Spanish and Portuguese influences.
Beeld: Wikimedia Commons
Localization of the Pampas Biome
Livestock on natural grasslands
Livestock farming has been practiced on the native grasslands of the Pampas for over two centuries and forms its foremost economic activity, mainly through extensive beef production, dairy systems and sheep farming, using mainly European breeds. Various native grasslands are resistant to drought or excess water, ensuring a stable food supply for livestock. Studies indicate the existence of about 450 species of grasses and 150 species of legumes, many with an enormous forage potential, also producing a healthier fat profile in cattle and sheep, with a higher omega 3 ratio. These high-quality pastures are used sustainably, contributing to the maintenance of the ecosystem.
In Argentina, fertile soils have supported one of the best and most extensive cattle producing grasslands in the world, while in Uruguay, where the landscape consist entirely of grasslands, extensive cattle and sheep farming form the backbone of the local economy and rural culture.
In Brazil, the presence of research institutes, such as Embrapa Pecuária Sul, stimulate innovation in genetics and sustainable cattle management. According to Cristina Genro, coordinator of the Pecus Project at this institute, there is a positive and sustainable balance between greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from animals and carbon fixation by plant roots in the Pampas (see article Embrapa, in Portuguese).
“Our research shows that animals raised on well-managed natural pastures not only emit less methane, but are also part of a system that accumulates a lot of carbon, thus providing an important ecosystem service”, Cristina says. "It is important to note that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates emissions of 56 kg/year of methane per animal in this same category in Brazil. In other words, the results show that methane emissions per animal in the Pampa biome are much lower than those estimated by the IPCC". According to her, if this difference is multiplied by the millions of head of cattle raised in the Pampa, the amount of methane emitted by the animals would be extremely lower than that what is recommended.
Beeld: Ramon Gerrits
The vast graslands of the Pampas
Crop farming and technological innovation
Crop farming in the Pampas comprises some most established systems. In Brazil, irrigated rice stands out as a high-tech production, leading the country in water management, while the Argentinian Pampa is globally known for the production of soybeans, maize, and wheat. In both cases, winter grains such as barley, oats, and rapeseed form a productive mosaic that optimally utilizes the temperate climate and ensures fertile crop rotations.
Nowadays, there is an increasing use of innovative and regenerative agricultural methods in the Pampas. Historical ties with the Netherlands are also visible, both in Brazil and Argentina, thanks to significant contributions by Dutch immigrants to technological developments, such as the prevalent zero-tillage cultivation.
Climate resilience and water management
The Pampas are characterized by distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold winters with frequent frosts. However, recent extreme weather events have put the agricultural sector under pressure, leading to lower productivity, financial losses, and uncertainties surrounding access to agricultural credit. In response to these extreme weather events, there is growing demand for adaptation measures.
In Brazil, the state of Rio Grande do Sul experienced consecutive years of prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall, culminating in the severe floods of 2024. In the aftermath, the state hosted a Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction and Surge Support (DRRS) mission, followed by a visit of a high-level Brazilian delegation to the Netherlands to learn more about flood protection and related spatial planning strategies. Also the visit in 2025 of the Special Envoy for Water of the Netherlands, Meike van Ginneken, reinforced the mutual interest in joint climate action, whereas a Fact Finding Mission from the Netherlands will follow in March of this year.
In Argentina, where the Tandil-General Lavalle catchment area in the Pampas is regularly hit by flooding, seawater intrusion, drought and a lack of fresh water, a program called the Blue Deal is being implemented by Dutch Water Authorities together with the Buenos Aires Province to improve the local water management.
Beeld: LAN-Argentina
Corn stubs on a farm in the Argentinian Pampas
Biodiversity challenges
The habitat is home to more than three thousand plant species and hundreds of bird species. The natural grasslands store large amounts of carbon in deep roots, regulate the water cycle, maintain soil structure and fertility, support pollinators and natural pest controllers, and increase resilience to climate extremes. Various native grasslands are more resistant to drought or excess water, ensuring a stable food supply for livestock.
Despite its richness, however, the biome is under increasing pressure. The conversion of natural grasslands to crop monoculture, habitat fragmentation, and species loss remains major challenges. In Brazil, the Pampas is historically the least protected biome (only 3% of the area is legally preserved), underscoring the importance of stronger instruments for conservation, monitoring, and sustainable production. Climate change further increases this urgency: the resilience of the Pampas - and its economy - depends on coordinated measures at the local, national, and international levels.
Nonetheless, conserving biodiversity offers direct benefits to farmers. Practices such as rotational grazing, cover crops, restoration of degraded areas, protection of wetlands, and connection of natural fragments increase productivity and reduce climate vulnerability. The integration of native tree species creates more stable microclimates and promotes animal welfare. In short, preserving biodiversity means protecting the ecological foundation that supports the regional economy.
Opportunities for Dutch companies and knowledge institutions
There are plenty of opportunities for Dutch expertise and solutions in this biome, mainly in the following fields:
- Integrated water and soil solutions; on Irrigation and drainage infrastructure, flood modeling & drought management, pumping systems and precision irrigation and Regenerative agriculture
- Sustainable livestock production & grassland management; on emission reduction in cattle farming, genetics and breeding programs, grass growth monitoring (e.g., remote sensing), saline tolerant crops;
- Precision agriculture and digitalization; on demand for Sensors, IoT solutions, satellite monitoring, Variable Dosage (fertilizers, pesticides), agronomic decision support;
- Collaboration in research and biodiversity, through biodiversity monitoring and recovery models, ecosystem-based adaptation, carbon farming on natural grasslands and socio-ecological integration in policy;
- Agrologistics, storage, and processing of winter grains; on storage technology, drying facilities, quality monitoring and supply chain innovations
For the Netherlands, there are significant opportunities at the interplay between agriculture, water management, biodiversity, and innovation. By strengthening collaboration, the region can develop solutions that combine productivity, nature conservation and climate adaptation, contributing to a robust future for the Pampas.
More information
This is an article from the series on South American Landscapes. The last one was on the Pantanal wetlands.
Do you want to know more about this? Then contact the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) team in Brazil at: bra-lvvn@minbuza.nl