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ABSTRACT
KEYWORDS
1.Introduction
Landscapes are historical syntheses between natural and cultural elements resulting from interactions
among abiotic, human and other biotic factors acting on the environment, and vary from fully natural
states to totally cultural ones (Bengtsson et al., 2003; Bux, 2006; Evia & Gudynas, 2000; Ode, Tveit, &
Fry, 2008; Papadimitriou, 2010; Robredo & Arballo, 2011). To understand the landscape evolution of a
given site, an historical analysis combining multiple types of evidence and using diverse techniques
enables elucidation of its past complexity and identification of emergent qualities and the factors
which have generated them (Bengtsson et al., 2003; Bux, 2006; Ode et al., 2008). Detailed digital photograph-quality reconstructions of past states of a landscape contribute to a better understanding of
its ecological trajectory to the present. The aim of this research to conduct a case study based on this
approach applied to a hill considered as a historic reference of Uruguay and Latin America: the Cerro
de Montevideo (CM; Figure 1). The CM was named by Magallanes in 1520 (Monte Vidi) and gives the
martinangel2@gmail.com; fgc@iibce.edu.uy
Etologa, Ecologa y Evolucin, Avenida Italia 3318 C.P. 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
2015 Landscape Research Group Ltd
M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
Figure 1.(a)(d) The Hispanic colonial coat, both first and current national badges of Uruguay and the coat of Montevideo. (e) and
(f) Two Uruguayan official coins. The Cerro de Montevideo appears displayed in the centre or in the upper right corner (g) and (h)
the two earliest known photographs of the hill (1870s).
name to the neighbouring capital of the country, Montevideo city, which was the last great foundation
of the Spanish Empire in 1726, being disputed by Spain, Portugal and England during the eighteenth
and nineteenth centuries (Barros-Lmez, 1992). The CM has been always a heraldic and numismatic
reference in official shields and coins of Uruguay from the Hispanic period to the present (Figure 1(a)(f)).
The first Uruguayan scientific document also refers to the height measurement of this hill (Larraaga
& Prez Castellanos, 1809, in: Ma-Garzn, 2005). Its present landscape is a remarkable element of
Montevidean identity, involving both personal and social perceptions of its uniqueness, and a sense of
belonging to the region (Stobbelaar & Pedroli, 2011). However, its pre-European physiognomy remains
almost unknown. There are only a few available studies on the pre-Hispanic landscape of the CM, e.g.
Berro (1946) and Gautreau (2006). Accordingly, the aim of this study was the characterisation of the
pre-Hispanic landscape status of the CM based on a historical reconstruction of the vegetation (Prieto,
Villagra, Lana, & Abraham, 2003).
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Figure 2.Geographic location of the study area. (a) Uruguay. (b) Montevideo city. (c) South-eastern Uruguayan coast. (d) A GIS record
of the topography and the hydrography of the study area. (references: M, Montevideo; C, Cerro de Montevideo; P, Piripolis city; SA,
Sierra de nimas; 9a-b10a-b, location of Figures 9(a) and (b) and 10(a) and (b)).
M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
The terrestrial surface of Uruguay is 176 215 Km2 (latitudinal extent: 3035 S). The climate is
temperate and humid with variable rainfall levels. The country belongs to the Biogeographical
Neotropical Region Uruguayense District (Grela, 2004), where meadows occupy 70% of the lands
whereas forestsassociated with rivers, streams and chains of hillsoccupy only 4.26% of the
territory (Carrere, 1990; Gautreau, 2010; Grela, 2004). The Cerro de Montevideo is a hill (134.82
metres height; 345319.04S and 561535.35W) located at the NW coast of the Rio de la Plata
in Montevideo Bay, (R.O.U., 1989) (Figure 2). This hill is an isolated outcrop of metamorphic hard
rock (amphibolites; geological formation Montevideo, Inferior Precambrian Era; 2000M.Y. before
present) covered with very eroded soils (predominantly brunisols) with rocky outcrops (Cardellino
& Ferrando, 1969; R.O.U., 1979). The hill is surrounded by Montevideo city (1 500 000 habitants).
The landscape matrix is dominated by the anthropic component. The northern slope is completely
urbanised while the southern one displays a very disturbed herbaceous matrix (Chebataroff, 1980)
with patches of exotic tree species.
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Gudynas, Prandi, & Capocasale, 1991) as well as between its vegetation physiognomy with other hills
located at the South of Uruguay (Figure 2(c)) were conducted.
3.Results
3.1. Early descriptions
In 1501, the Cerro de Montevideo would be nominated as Pinachullo Detentio by Amrico Vespucio, and
also doubtfully indicated by Juan Daz de Solis in 1516, as a determined hill crowned by a group of old
trees, whereas Fernando de Magallanes (1520) wrote: there is a mountain like a hat, which we nominated
as Monte-Vidi (Arredondo, 1958; Azara, 1847; Barros-Lmez, 1992; Berro, 1946; Madero, 1902; Vespucio,
1986). In 1531, Lpez de Sousa (Arredondo, 1958; Tras & de Sousa, 1958) gave important information:
when the wind blows strong from the South East, I entered in a port located at the West of San Pedro hill, this hill
has a port on the East and other on the West; here I landed and I went into land; I killed several ostriches and deer
and I climbed together with all the people to San Pedro hill, from where we saw meadows up to where the eyesight
could reach, as flat as the palm, and many rivers with trees along them. It is difficult to describe the beauty of this
land. There is plenty of deer, gazelles, ostriches, and other animals of the size and aspect of newborn horses, the
field is plenty of these game animals, I never saw so many sheep and goats in Portugal.
San Pedro hill was a former Portuguese name of the CM. In 1602, Daz de Guzmn (in: Arredondo
1958; in: Ma Garzn, 2000) refers to the Montevideo Bay as lands of bread and grass for the cattle,
plenty of animal games as deer, quails and ostriches.
M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
Figure 3.(a) A map of 1719 (c) of the Bay of Montevideo and some detailed views. The Cerro de Montevideo (b) displays presumed
relict corridors of woody vegetation (d)(i), white arrows and marshes (f, i, j, black arrows). The island Isla de la Libertad is visible in
the west of the Bay, close to the hill.
In 1826, DOrbigny (in: Ma-Garzn, 2005) described the CM as a hill of monotonous flatlands. Coreal (1708,
in: De Pena, 1892) was unable to find firewood in this site, evidencing the absence of arboreal vegetation
on the hill. However, maps of 1719, 1781 and 1789 (Travieso, 1937), and a painting by William Gregory
(1799) show presumed relict corridors of woody formations on its slopes (Figures 3 and 4).
The destruction of the Montevidean forest was mentioned by Jos M. Prez Castellano in 1813
(Prez Castellano, 1968): Fifty years (ago) it seemed impossible that it would be finished in centuries
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Figure 4.(a) A map of 1781 of the Bay of Montevideo and a detailed view (right) of the Cerro de Montevideo with presumed corridors
of woody vegetation. (b) A map of 1789 of the same area with a detailed view (right) showing rocky slopes with presumed patches
of dense vegetation. The island Isla de la Libertad is visible in the west of the Bay, closely to the hill. (c) A painting of William Gregory
(1799) picturing apparent woody vegetation corridors on the hill (inner circle: a detailed view).
M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
Figure 5.Some representatives of the relict biota of the Cerro de Montevideo reported in the literature. Dorstenia brasiliensis is the
first known identified plant for the Uruguayan flora.
their destruction is so fast that the city will soon run out of wood for consumption. Further environmental
degradation was reported by Diego de Alvear (1874):
Who knew Montevideo thirty or forty years ago saw, as we said, high dunes covered by reeds, well above to
the level of the beach: in the place now the reeds are destroyed by trampling, and most sand has been removed
by the wind and extracted for constructions in the town; the dunes had been reduced in such degree that they
are now at about the same level of the beach.
Many testimonies endorse the presence of marshes with shrubs of Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult.f.)
Asch. & Graebbn, associated with jaguars Panthera onca L. at the west of the CM (Figures 7, 9, and 10)
in 1813, 1829 and 1831 De Mara (2006).
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Taxonomic
Classification
Juncaceae
Schoenoplectus
californicus
Spartina ciliata
Cortaderia selloana
Poaceae
Nassella charruana
Meadows. Herbaceous
Bipinnula sp.
Orchidaceae
Chloraea sp.
Frailea pygmaea
Cactaceae
Parodia concinna
Parodia mammulosa
Opuntia aurantiaca
Parodia sellowii
Pavonia cymbalaria
Dorstenia brasiliensis
Malvaceae
Moraceae
Selaginella sellowii
Celtis ehrenbergiana
Selaginellaceae
Cannabaceae
Myrsine laetevirens
Myrsinaceae
Daphnopsis racemosa
Thymelaeaceae
Ephedra tweediana
Colletia paradoxa
Scutia buxifolia
Ephedraceae
Rhamnaceae
Schinus engleri
Anacardiaceae
Schinus longifolius
Dodonaea viscosa
Sapindaceae
Vachellia caven
Fabaceae
Erythrina crista-galli
Mimosa sp.
Species
Juncus acutus
Reported location
related (015km) to
the study area (CM:
Cerro de Montevideo;
NA: neighbouring
area)
NA
De Mara (2006)
Del Puerto (1969)
AIS
Chebataroff (1980)
Pieiro et al. (2004)
AIS
Chebataroff (1980)
CM NA
Chebataroff (1980)
AIS
Chebataroff (1980)
Chebataroff (1980)
Bernardi (2007)
AIS
Chebataroff (1980)
Bernardi (2007)
AIS
CM
NA
Chebataroff (1980)
AIS
Chebataroff (1980)
Bernardi (2007)
AIS
AIS
Chebataroff (1980)
CM
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M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
Species
Hydrochoerus
hydrochaeris
Ozotoceros bezoarticus
Taxonomic
classification
Mammalia: Rodentia
Mammalia: Cervidae
Main habitat
Riparian forests
Wetlands
Pampean meadows
Panthera onca
Mammalia: Felidae
Nothura maculosa
Aves: Tinamidae
Forests and
dense vegetation
areas near to water
currents
Meadows
Rhynchotus
rufescens
Aves: Tinamidae
Rhea americana
Aves: Rheidae
Meadows
Bothriurus
buecherli
Scorpiones:
Bothriuridae
Cryptozoic refuges
on hills with native
and compact forest
Habroconus paraguayanus
Mollusca:
Gastropoda,
Euconulidae
Reported
location related
(015km) to
the study area
(CM: Cerro de
Montevideo;
NA: neighbouring area)
NA
CM
NA
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Figure 6.A current satellite image of the study area (a) and its pre-Hispanic simulation (b). Scale bar = 250m.
matrix, contributing strongly to the inferred intermediate level of fragility of this landscape (Figures 68,
Table 3). Large patches of marshes of Cortaderia and reeds were also occurring in nearby riparian and
coastal areas (Figure 6). All these vegetational formations together with the occurrence of mesofauna
elements (Ozotoceros, Rhea) performed as attributes of perceptual heterogeneity and diversity (Figures
6 and 7) observable from satellite views (Figure 6(b)) and from the Bay of Montevideo (East) or from
the Rio de la Plata (South; Figure 8). The remarkable seasonal whitish flowering of Cortaderia marshes
(Robredo & Arballo, 2011) of pre-Hispanic neighbouring of the CM (Figure 7) presumably conferred a
memorable phenologic visual impression which decreased in the following centuries due to human
impact although several communities of Cortaderia survived until the present.
Digital recreations of the physiognomy of the CM during the founding period of the City of
Montevideo based on maps and paintings of the eighteenth century (Figures 3, 4 and 8(c)) show scarce
corridors of woody vegetation indicating the scale of loss of landscapes heterogeneity and diversity
elements. The predominance of meadows has increased since the seventeenth century (Figures 68)
displaying a long historical continuity in the scenic perception of the CM (Figures 1(g)(h) and 8) at
least since 1708, taking the observer to the foundation of Montevideo in 1726.
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M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
Table 3.Probable visual fragility of the pre-Hispanic landscape of the Cerro de Montevideo.
Characteristics
Soil covered by woody species 3467%
<3 strata vegetation
>1m<3m mean height
Dominant vegetation: perennial
Monochromatic patches
Visual contrast low
2555%
South/East exposure
High uniqueness, singularity and / or value
Fragility
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Low
High
Low
Intermediate
Low
High
Factor
D: vegetation density
E: stratification of the vegetation
A: vegetation height
ES: vegetation seasonality
CV: vegetation chromatic contrasts
CS: chromatic contrasts: vegetation-soil
P: slope
O: landscape orientation
H: historical and cultural values
Figure 7.A current image of the hill (a) and its pre-Hispanic recreation (b) (northern side).
A presumed wooden cross located in the hilltop in 1719 would be barely visible in the distance
(Figures 3(d) and 8(c)). Fortress General Artigascurrently surrounded with herbaceous vegetation
modified with exotic species and artificially planted native treesis an iconic element added in 1811
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Figure 8.Long-standing transitions to current anthropogenic landscapes from digitally simulated pre-Hispanic natural landscapes
of the Cerro de Montevideo as they must have been seen from the east (a)(d) and from the south (e)(f).
to the hilltop conferring a current scenic prevalence sharply contrasting with the simulated pre-Hispanic hilltop presumedly covered with a rocky meadow of Nassella, scattered shrubs of, e.g. Colletia
and Daphnopsis, and diverse Cactaceae (Figure 10(b)). Other areas also evidence a pre-Hispanic natural
physiognomy deeply contrasting with the current anthropised one, e.g. a watercourse named as Caada
del Tala (Western CM) displays severe urban impact whereas its digitally inferred pre-Hispanic landscape
(Figures 9(a) and (b)) shows riparian forest, marshes of Schoenoplectus and Cortaderia and a specimen
of Panthera onca. In addition, a sandy coast located at the southern part of the hill currently displays
anthropic modifications, e.g. foreign flora, and the city of Montevideo in the background. Instead,
its inferred pre-Hispanic recreation shows predominant dune vegetation with coastal populations of
Cortaderia and Dodonaea (Figures 9(c) and (d)).
Digital reconstructions of the landscapes of the CM from the late nineteenth centurybased on
Figure 1 (g) and (h)to the present show a gradual decline in the herbaceous matrix area due to the
advance of urbanisation and exotic tree crops, which today dominate many landscapes of the CM
(Figures 68 and 10). The current presence of low shrubby vegetation at the southern slope and the
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M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
Figure 9.(a) A water current (Caada del Tala) located in the west of the hill. (b) Its simulated appearance during 1500s. (c) The
south-eastern sandy coast of the hill and its pre-Hispanic reconstruction (d).
irregular urbanisation at the northern slope evidence a low sense of care and order as an acquired visual
character (Figures 68). The wide panoramic perception including the CM and Baha de Montevideo
performs as a highly conserved attribute, and has been memorably impressing most observers since
the 1500s to the present (Barros-Lmez, 1992; Ma-Garzn, 1996; Vespucio, 1986). However, we infer
a higher visibility of the CM in the sixteenth century with respect to the present (Figures 7, 8 and
10(a)) due to the increase of visual obstacles, e.g., buildings and exotic tree crops. Accordingly, a panoramic view from the southern slope of the hill (Figure 10(a)) reveals anthropic incidence: modified
hillside flora, artificially extended coast lines and the city of Montevideo in the background. Instead, its
digital-simulated pre-Hispanic version displays an herbaceous matrix of Nassella with patches of native
forest, and a higher observational deepness.
4.Discussion
The ecological impact after European colonisation in the temperate regions of America was more
severe in zones with nomadic cultures than in sedentary ones (Torrejn & Cisternas, 2002). The
pre-Columbian Uruguayan population was 50006000 nomad hunterscollectors, inhabitants who
produced low environmental impact (Carrere, 1990).
The earliest visitors to the CM report a clear abundance of the currently threatened Pampa deer
(Ozotocerus bezoarticus L.), rheas (Rhea americana L.) and patridges (Nothura maculosa Temminck and
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Figure 10.(a) A panoramic view from the southern slope of the hill. (b) A digital simulation of the site during 1500s. (c) The rocky
hilltop. (d) Its simulated pre-Hispanic appearance.
Rhynchotus rufescens Temminck) (Table 2), evidencing a meadow matrix (Gonzlez & Martnez-Lanfranco,
2010; Olmos, 2011; Pieiro et al., 2004). They also suggested the occurrence of several corridors of riparian forest (De Sousa: many rivers with trees along them) presumably inhabited by capybaras (Hydrochoerus
hydrochaeris L.) (De Sousa: newborn horses). Experimental evidence arising from the geographic regional
context (Ro de la Plata) of the CM (Cayssials, 2010; Loydi & Distel, 2010; Pieiro et al., 2004) suggests
that incidence of introduced cattle grazing on the herbaceous communities in the study area would
have increased the richness of the species, consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis,
suggesting a possible explanation for the colourful diversity of flowers observed by Feuille (1708, in:
Duprey, 1952; in: Ma-Garzn, 2000). This visitor had also referred to the vegetation of the small island
Isla de la Libertad, located in Montevideo Bay close to the CM. These descriptions refer to the antique
extension in Montevideo of coastal herbaceous halophyte and psammophyte vegetation of 12m
high (Fagndez & Lezama, 2005, Figures 69), which in the present still remains in coastal surroundings of the CM and the Isla de la Libertad. It is also present now along the Uruguayan coast, in association with saline, flooding, clay or sandy soils, in beaches, water current mouths where reeds such as
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M. RODRIGUEZ-PONTES ET AL.
Juncus acutus (L.) Torr. Ex Retz., Spartina ciliata Brongn. and Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey) Steud.
predominate (Table 1) (Alonso & Bassagoda, 1999, 2002; Cabrera, 1968; Fagndez & Lezama, 2005).
The so-called tiger, actually the jaguar, has been extinct in Uruguay since 1904 and inhabits forests
and dense vegetation areas near water courses (Gonzlez & Martnez Lanfranco (2010); Prigioni et al.,
2003). The marshes of Cortaderia are now located in large relictual patches in the environment of the
CM, which used to be much extended in the past (Del Puerto, 1969; Figure 7).
All relict woody species reported for the CM (Table 1) have widespread distribution throughout the
country in hilly forests, being independent of dendrofloristic regions (Grela, 2004). In Uruguay, many
of these species also integrate the woody coastal sub-xerophyte communities, with a maximum height
of 3m (Alonso & Bassagoda, 1999, 2002, 2003; Cabrera, 1968; Fagndez & Lezama, 2005). Rather than
primary forest relicts, the forest corridors represented in maps and paintings of the late eighteenth
century probably could be considered as successional stages of woody vegetation along the springs
that flowed down the slopes of the hill. Significantly, either native (Eupatorium) or foreign shrubs, currently observed in the present at the hills southern slope, suggest its ability to support native woody
vegetation in the past.
The vegetation architecture of hilly zones of Uruguay presents a consistently structurally homogeneous pattern (Carrere, 1990; Gautreau & Lezama, 2009; Grela & Brussa, 2003) which does not determine any physiognomic difference. In low slopes, the forest has great development (78m high) due
to protecting topography and more water availability. In areas of intermediate altitude of the slopes,
the forest occupies humid zones in topographic concavities with springs (Figure 2(d)). The sub-xerophyte scrub shrubs occur towards the top of the hill. These convexities of the slopes and the top
are exposed to the winds, have low water availability and have herbaceous vegetation as dominant
(Carrere, 1990). Then, it is possible to infer the state of the pre-Hispanic landscape of the CM through
comparative analysis with the Sierra de las Animas hills located about 100km to the east of Montevideo
(Figure 2(c)): they show less anthropic impact and similar vegetation structure. On the contrary, coastal
hills around Piripolis city have suffered more anthropic and eolic modifications that have generated
the predominance of shrubby vegetation.
A lost meadow graminous matrix with a predominance of Nassella was proposed for our study area
Chebataroff (1980) and evidenced by experimental data (Pieiro et al., 2004) (Figure 10). All native
species found in convexes zones of the slopes of the CM probably constitute relicts of herbaceous
original vegetation, e g., Pavonia cymbalaria, an endemic heliophyte of the hilly zones of Buenos Aires
(Argentina) and Uruguay (Torres et al., 2008). Documentary evidence (Feouille, 1708, in: Duprey, 1952)
suggests that another relictDorstenia brasiliensisis the first known plant identified for the Uruguayan
flora since the pre-Linnean times (Figure 5).
The cryptozoic arachnofauna is capable of resisting severe environmental impacts, e.g., fire and
deforestation, with a remarkable ability to persist (Ghione et al., 2007) suggesting that such communities
are good indicators of earlier biotas (Ruzicka, 1987). The scorpion Bothriurus buecherli predominates
in humid topographic concavities of both the CM and Sierra de las Animas (Costa & Prez-Miles, 1994;
Toscano-Gadea, 2002). In pristine hills, these concavities show native forest (Carrere, 1990). San Martn
(1963) & San Martn & Gambardella (1967/1975) stressed the extreme selectivity of B. buecherli on
habitat, inhabiting exclusively cryptozoic refuges on hills with native and compact forest. Costa and
Prez-Miles (1994) found that this species can also occupy open slopes without trees but predominates
in woody environments, being almost absent in meadows. Several species of scorpions are diggers
and their habitat preference is related to soil granulometry and humidity. These factors are associated
to different climatic and floristic conditions (Polis, 1990; Prendini, 2001). Scorpions have poor dispersal mechanisms and constitute good subjects for historical, biogeographical and ecological studies
(Loureno 1986, 1991, 1994a, 1994b, Polis, 1990; Peretti 1997, 2001, Prendini, 2001). Acosta (1993)
yielded the dispersal characteristics of scorpions to explain the distribution of the B. prospicuus species
group, which involves several species from Argentina and Uruguay, including B. buecherli. The extreme
habitat selectivity of B. buecherli, the relative isolation of the CM regarding other hills (more than 60km
apart) and the poor dispersal abilities suggest the relict condition of this species (Toscano-Gadea, 2002).
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Relict land snails are well known to reflect environmental changes of the past (Hayashida, 2005). The
Gastropod Habroconus paraguayanus, found in the surroundings of the CM, currently inhabits native
forests and nearby zones (Scarabino, 2003; Lista sistemtica de los Gastropoda terrestres vivientes de
Uruguay. Comunicaciones de la Sociedad Malacolgica del Uruguay 8; 7879, pp. 203214). In summary,
both the invertebrate species suggest the presence of pre-Hispanic forest in this hill.
In summary, available evidence shows no apparent environmental disturbance in the CM until the
eighteenth century. Introduction of cattle and invasive flora during the seventeenth century, along with
the use of the easily accessible trees of the CM as a source of firewood for ships, would have been the
most influential impact factors on the former pre-Hispanic landscape of this hill. Woods would have
mostly disappeared before 1708 (Carrere, 1990; Duprey, 1952; Gautreau, 2006) though some remaining
corridors would have persisted until the nineteenth century (Figure 8(b) and (c)). This historical reconstruction of the vegetation could be used as a basis for historical-floristic landscape reconstructions
using phytoliths and palynomorfs (Hayashida, 2005).
The estimated intermediate-level visual fragility of the pre-Hispanic landscape of the CM (Table 3)
would evidence its considerable vulnerability to the deep floristic changes that have occurred (Cayssials,
2010; Del Puerto, 1969; Pieiro et al., 2004). Since the foundation of Montevideo to the present, agriculture, urbanisation and industrialisation have increased the artificialisation of the CM landscape
(Gautreau, 2006).
Ackowledgements
Enrique Neme, Florencia Alliaume, Juan Villalba-Macas, Jacqueline Bianco, Fabrizio Scarabino, Wilson Serra-Alanis, Fernando
Prez-Piedrabuena and Pablo Darriulat have supplied valuable materials. Anita Aisenberg has improved the English version
of the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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RESUMEN
El Cerro de Montevideo es un referente simblico de Uruguay que en la actualidad presenta
un paisaje artificializado y con deterioro ambiental. Se han combinado tcnicas incluyendo
anlisis documental, cartografa, teledeteccin, de biota relictual, biogeogrfico, recreacin
digital y valoracin estimada de la fragilidad visual, para caracterizar su paisaje ecolgico
prehispnico: una matriz de pradera con grandes manchas y corredores de pastizales y
vegetacin leosa, con una fragilidad visual estimada de nivel intermedio. Los cambios
fisonmicos se habran iniciado desde ca. 1520, mucho antes de lo propuesto con anterioridad
(1851), debido a la oferta de lea de bosques nativos a los buques, y a la introduccin de
ganado por los europeos. La artificializacin del paisaje por la urbanizacin y la
industrializacin se intensific desde 1870. La degradacin ambiental ha aumentado desde
1930. Por primera vez, la aracnofauna criptozoica, la fragilidad visual y recreaciones
fotogrficas digitales satelitales fueron incluidos en un estudio histrico de paisaje.
Adicionalmente, se descubri que Dorstenia brasiliensis es la primera planta identificada
conocida para la flora uruguaya.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Historia ecolgica; paisaje; vegetacin; aracnofauna; documento;
Montevideo; prehispnico.
1. Introduccin
Los paisajes son sntesis histricas entre elementos naturales y culturales que resultan de las
interacciones entre los factores biticos (incluyendo los humanos), abiticos y otros que
actan sobre el medio ambiente, y pueden variar de estados completamente naturales a otros
totalmente culturales (Bengtsson et al, 2003;. Bux, 2006; Evia y Gudynas, 2000; Ode, Tveit, y
Fry, 2008; Papadimitriou, 2010; Robredo y Arballo, 2011). Para entender la evolucin del
paisaje de un sitio determinado, un anlisis histrico que combina mltiples tipos de
evidencias y el uso de diversas tcnicas permite la elucidacin de su complejidad del pasado y
la identificacin de cualidades emergentes y los factores que las han generado (Bengtsson et
al, 2003;. Bux, 2006;. Oda et al, 2008). Las reconstrucciones detalladas en calidad fotogrfica
de los estados pasados de un paisaje contribuyen a una mejor comprensin de su trayectoria
ecolgica hasta el presente. El objetivo de esta investigacin ha sido llevar a cabo un estudio
de caso, sobre la base de este enfoque, aplicado a una colina considerada como un referente
histrico de Uruguay y Amrica Latina: el Cerro de Montevideo (CM; Figura 1). El CM fue
nominado por Magallanes en 1520 (Monte Vidi) y da el nombre a la vecina capital del pas, la
ciudad de Montevideo, que fue la ltima gran fundacin del Imperio Espaol en 1726, siendo
MARTIN RODRIGUEZ PONTES
2. Materiales y mtodos
Muestras seleccionadas del paisaje prehispnico del CM fueron sintetizadas digitalmente
mediante la incorporacin de la informacin obtenida a partir de diversas fuentes, entre ellas:
las imgenes de satlite, datos histricos documentales y datos de relictos de fauna y flora.
2.1. rea De Estudio
La superficie terrestre de Uruguay es de 176 215 Km2 (extensin latitudinal: 30-35 S). El clima
es templado y hmedo, con niveles de lluvia variables. El pas pertenece a la Regin
Biogeogrfica Neotropical Distrito Uruguayense (Grela, 2004), donde los pastizales ocupan el
70% de la superficie, mientras que bosques-asociados a ros, arroyos y cadenas de colinas
ocupan slo el 4,2-6% del territorio (Carrere, 1990; Gautreau, 2010; Grela, 2004). El Cerro de
Montevideo es una colina (134,82 metros de altura; 3453'19.04 "S y 5615'35.35" W) situado
en la costa noroeste del Ro de la Plata, en la Baha de Montevideo, (R.O.U., 1989) (Figura 2).
Este cerro es un afloramiento aislado de rocas duras metamrficas (anfibolitas; formacin
geolgica de Montevideo, Era Precmbrico Inferior; 2000 M.Y. antes del presente) cubierto
con suelos muy erosionados (predominantemente brunosoles) con afloramientos rocosos
(Cardellino y Ferrando, 1969; ROU, 1979). La colina est rodeada por la ciudad de Montevideo
(1.500.000 habitantes). La matriz del paisaje est dominada por el componente antrpico. La
ladera norte est completamente urbanizada, mientras que la del sur muestra una matriz
herbcea muy perturbada (Chebataroff, 1980) con manchas de especies de rboles exticos.
2.2. Tecnologas de imagen y Evaluacin Arqueolgica de Fragilidad de Paisaje
La evaluacin de la fragilidad de paisajes desaparecidos y sus ecosistemas permitira inferir la
prdida de atributos valiosos, los agentes destructivos intervinientes y criterios para la
restauracin; sera probablemente equivalente a una comparacin entre fotografas actuales y
antiguas del sitio (Muoz-Pedreros, 2004). El uso de las tecnologas de imagen refuerza el
anlisis de la historia ecolgica de los paisajes (Sevenant y Antrop, 2011). No difiere
sustancialmente del anlisis in situ, si las tcnicas se ajustan para cada situacin manteniendo
la calidad representativa, minimizando las subjetividades y la identificacin de indicadores
apropiados para las inferencias cualitativas (Dee, 2004;. Oda et al, 2008). En este estudio, se
realiz un anlisis comparativo entre fotografas actuales de los paisajes y sus digitalmente
reconstruidas versiones prehispnicas. Tambin utilizamos Sistemas de Informacin
Geogrfica (IMM) y-como innovacin- ortofotos por satlite (Google).
2.3. Datos Documentales Histricos sobre el Medio Ambiente
"Monte de San Pedro " era un antiguo nombre portugus del CM. En 1602, Daz de Guzmn
(en: Arredondo 1958; en: Ma Garzn, 2000) se refiere a la baha de Montevideo como tierras
de pan... y hierba para el ganado, y un montn de animales como ciervos, codornices y avestruces.
y tambin escribi:
La contra-hierba crece habitualmente en lugares pedregosos o arenosos y yo slo pude verla en las
laderas de la pequea colina de Montevideo, a lo largo de mi viaje a las islas occidentales. ... Durante la
maana visitamos una pequea isla, donde haban encontrado una gran cantidad de nidos de aves
escondidos entre los pastos tan altos como la cintura....
Adems, la degradacin ambiental fue tambin reportada por Diego de Alvear (1874):
Quin conoci Montevideo... treinta o cuarenta aos atrs... vio, como hemos dicho, las altas dunas
cubiertas de juncos, muy por encima del nivel de la playa: en el lugar ahora las caas son destruidas por
el pisoteo, y la mayora de arena se ha eliminado por el viento y se extrae para construcciones en la