Florach.Ar: An Open-Access Data Platform and Novel Digital Methodology for Large-Scale Biodiversity Assessment in the Patagonian Steppe

Abstract

The vast expanse and logistical challenges of the Patagonian steppe severely limit large-scale ecological monitoring, creating critical information gaps for the management of an ecosystem threatened by desertification. This work presents an innovative methodology to overcome these limitations, based on high-resolution systematic sampling and the use of customized digital tools for standardized field data collection. The result was a database with more than 40 000 georeferenced interception records, covering a sampling area of 90 000 km², systematised, and published on the open-access platform florach.ar. Analysis of these data allowed for the characterisation of the floristic composition, identifying 172 plant taxa belonging to 41 botanical families, with a clear dominance of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. Ten main plant communities were also differentiated, and indicators of ecosystem condition were quantified. The average surface area of bare soil is 65%, a key indicator that demonstrates the magnitude of desertification processes in the region. The platform serves as an unprecedented diagnostic tool and baseline for conservation planning and scientific research, promoting a replicable open science model for other arid regions.