Análisis multi-criterio sobre barreras biogeográficas para la movilidad humana en Patagonia meridional

Much of the discussion on the human biogeography of the lake system south of Lago Argentino (southern Patagonia) has been focused on the “dead ends”, near the Andean lakes, its link with continental ice as an important barrier to human movement, and the Baguales Range immediately to the east. Other minor barriers were discussed recently. Among the latter, here we add the plateaus, their edges and the small fluvial valleys at the foot of the plateaus locally called ensenadas or "inlets". The methodology includes a least-cost pathways analysis based on multi-criteria cost surfaces, a hierarchical spatial model based on landscape resistance to human circulation, the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) tools and remote sensing techniques on satellite images. A scheme of priority and alternative pathways is derived, whose availability and potential spatial disconnections at times of snowfall, reinforce the logistical exploitation of the area. Thus, the key to the intensity of human occupation in this sector has very likely been linked to the increase or decrease of costs movements, also articulated with land-use strategies centered on other ecologically complementary spaces.