Evaluación de la sustentabilidad ambiental de sistemas hortícolas del periurbano de Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The expansion and intensification of horticultural systems in the peri-urban area of Mar del Plata derived in economic benefits, but also in environmental problems. It is hypothesized that the management of these systems under a conventional approach led to less sustainable systems compared to the alternative ones, increasing environmental impacts due to the incorporation of greenhouses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental sustainability of horticultural systems in Mar del Plata, considering different cases associated to representative typologies. Methodologically, a Horticultural Environmental Sustainability Index was elaborated, composed of indicators associated with the ecological, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. Based on semi-structured interviews, the index was applied to seven systems with a conventional approach and greenhouse production (SCBC), seven systems with a conventional approach and open field production (SCAC), three systems with alternative approaches and greenhouse production (SABC), and other three systems with alternative approaches and open field production (SAAC). The systems that applied alternative approaches (SABC and SAAC) showed greater environmental sustainability, with a wide gap between these and the conventional systems (SCBC and SCAC). Finally, it is necessary to deepen the study and highlight the contribution that each system can make to the environmental sustainability of horticultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]