Charcoal production in the Argentine Dry Chaco: where, how and who?

This research paper analyzes charcoal production in the Argentine Dry Chaco using remote sensing and socio-environmental data to map kiln distribution, production systems, and the social context of producers.

• Charcoal production in the Argentine Dry Chaco is characterized by a prevalence of individual or small-scale operations, with 58.2% of kiln sites consisting of one to three units, which are frequently associated with forest land cover. In contrast, large groups of 12 or more units (representing 15.5% of all kilns) are associated with land that has been cleared for cultivation.
• While overall charcoal production in the region has remained stable for 50 years, there has been a significant redistribution of activity from wealthier provinces to poorer ones. Analysis at the county level indicates a linear association between kiln density and production records, suggesting an average annual output of 11 tons of charcoal per kiln.
• Small-scale charcoal production by poor rural populations is currently the only significant forest product use providing a market incentive for forest preservation, though it is linked to forest degradation, inefficient production, and marginal social conditions. Counties with high charcoal production and high forest cover exhibit higher poverty levels and population density compared to counties with low production and similar forest cover.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2025). Charcoal production in the Argentine Dry Chaco: where, how and who? https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/charcoal-production-in-the-argentine-dry-chaco-where-how-and-who/

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Charcoal production in the Argentine Dry Chaco: where, how and who? 2025. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/charcoal-production-in-the-argentine-dry-chaco-where-how-and-who/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Charcoal production in the Argentine Dry Chaco: where, how and who? |date=15 January 2025 |url=https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/charcoal-production-in-the-argentine-dry-chaco-where-how-and-who/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2025charcoal, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Charcoal production in the Argentine Dry Chaco: where, how and who?}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/charcoal-production-in-the-argentine-dry-chaco-where-how-and-who/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }