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The processes of productive intensification of the land uses in Uruguay have generated multidimensional transformations in the agrarian territories. The magnitude and spatial distribution of these recent transformations question the validity and actuality of the current agroeconomic regionalisations.The objective of this research was to analyze the variations produced in the main productive territorial units in the contemporary rural Uruguay, denominated regions, due to the changes occurred in the productive matrix.The methodological strategy included, in the first instance, the analysis of changes in land use and the generation of two indices: intensity and intensification of land use. Subsequently, the analysis of these processes was integrated according to the proposals of agroeconomic regionalisations and ecoregionalisation.The main results demonstrate and characterize geographically the process of land use intensification in Uruguay and evaluate the suitability and validity of the proposed regionalisations. It is emphasized that regionalisation proposed by Griffin (1972) represented the agrarian dynamics until the end of the 20th century but it has gradually lost validity due to the intensification of land uses. The strategy of regionalising Uruguayan territory integrating physical and productive aspects is a more operative instrument to identify the current dynamics of the agrarian space and the current scenario of land uses.It is also worth mentioning the methodological contribution of this research on the generation of spatial indices of intensification and intensity of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands occupy between 4% and 6% of the earth's surface and are increasing its significant importance due to its productive landscapes and biological content. Placed amongst the planet's most threatened areas, more than 50% of wetlands were lost in the past century and those less affected have suffered different magnitudes of deterioration, caused by multiple anthropic intervention. Uruguay's dense riverbed runs throughout most of its territory, being wetlands very diverse ecosystems regarding landscapes as well as the rich and bountiful forms of life found in them. This research focuses on assessing the situation of urban zones found within wetland areas throughout national territory, providing information about its dimension as well as assessing the situation for people who inhabit these zones. A methodological strategy based on the spatial analysis of the Geographical Information System's registries allowed research to identify and distinguish flooding in urban zones and its distribution pattern on a national scale. The amount of urban zones developing within wetland areas goes up to 50% of national territory and therefore constitutes undoubtely a national scale problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]