This paper analyzes the potential of Grindelia chiloensis, a native species of arid environments, which was studied as a tool for mitigating erosion and desertification in degraded soils. The research was conducted in a sector of Parque Norte (Neuquén) with characteristics similar to those of areas affected by small-scale fires. Soil samples were collected, physicochemical parameters (pH, moisture, electrical conductivity, N, P, and K) were measured, and a germination test was performed under controlled conditions. The results show that the soil, despite its loss of vegetation cover, maintains adequate levels of fertility and stability. Germination reached 50%, confirming the adaptation of the species G. chiloensis to clay soils. The findings suggest that revegetation with native species represents an effective strategy to restore degraded soils and reduce erosion in arid and semi-arid environments.

Wildfires alter essential soil properties, affecting its structure, stability, and surface dynamics. These changes, linked to the sedimentary materials that compose the terrain, increase erosion and hinder vegetation recovery. The study was conducted in Parque Norte (Neuquén), on soil with characteristics similar to areas slightly affected by wildfires, with the objective of assessing its recovery capacity using Grindelia chiloensis as a bioindicator species adapted to arid environments. From a geological perspective, the research aims to understand how vegetation contributes to stabilizing surface materials and mitigating erosion and desertification processes.