Conservation from Arica to Magallanes: the 10 Biosphere Reserves that exist in Chile

From north to south, in Chile there are a number of wonderful biosphere reservesprotected areas composed mainly of National Parks and Reserves. What is their characteristic? They are part of UNESCO's "Man and the Biosphere" program, and are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems that promote solutions to reconcile conservation and biodiversity with their sustainable use. In these beautiful landscapes, there is an abundance of rivers, lakes, native forests and species that only develop in Chile, along more than 11 million hectares, of which about 3 million correspond to marine areas.

By Andrea Obaid

1. Lauca Biosphere Reserve

It is the northernmost biosphere reserve in Chile, located in the region of Arica-Parinacota. It is composed of the Lauca National Park, the Las Vicuñas National Reserve and the Salar de Surire Natural Monument. It stands out for the variety of Andean flora and fauna and for its highland geography, with altitudes between 3,200 and 6,342 meters above sea level. In addition, there are Aymara inhabitants in the area, one of the 10 recognized 10 indigenous peoples recognized in Chile, with 10 thousand years. The most attractive places in the park are the Parinacota, Pomerape, Guallatiri and Acotango volcanoes. Also the Chungará Lake, the snow-capped mountains of Payachatas and the archaeological site Tambo de Chungará.

1. Fray Jorge Forest Biosphere Reserve

It is located in the Coquimbo Region and its main characteristic is the green forests that grow next to the desert. This park stands out for being the first stargazing site in South America and the fourth in the world for its and the fourth in the world, for its stars without luminous pollution, ideal for astronomical observation. It has two trails for visitors: one is the "Hydrophilic Forest Trail" of 1,000 meters, where you can see the semi-arid ecosystem to the Valdivian type forest that is kept alive by the "Camanchaca" or coastal fog, and the other is the "Path for people with disabilities" of 140 meters, which can be traversed in a wheelchair.

1. La Campana Biosphere Reserve - Peñuelas

It is formed by La Campana National Park and Peñuelas National Reserve in the region of Valparaíso. It is divided into three sectors: Granizo, Cajón Grande and Palmas de Ocoa. The most frequented trails are "Sendero del Andinista", "Circuito el Guanaco" and "La Cascada". The locality is of scientific interest for mining use since 1989, due to its six mining deposits associated to the volcanic-sedimentary rocks of the Lo Prado geological formation. In 1834, the English naturalist Charles Darwin visited it and reached the top of La Campana hill. It also stands out for the "Palmar de Ocoa", one of the last natural forests of Chilean palmeiras, an endemic species.

1. Juan Fernandez Archipelago Biosphere Reserve

Located in the region of Valparaíso, but 667 kilometers from the continental coast, it is formed by the islands of Santa Clara, Alejandro Selkirk and Robinson Crusoe. The protected area includes the marine parks "Montes Submarinos Crusoe", "Lobería Selkirk", "El Arenal", "Tierra Blanca" and "El Palillo". With this geographical and natural exceptionality live the 500 people that inhabit the towns of San Juan Bautista and Bahía de Cumberland. The Juan Fernandez Archipelago is the world's area in the world with the greatest diversity of endemic species per square meter, something per square meter, something that is even registered as a record in Guinness.

1. Biosphere Reserve of the Nevados de Chillán and Laja Lagoon Biological Corridor

Located in the Biobío region, it is formed by the protected areas Laguna del Laja National Park and the National Reserves Ñuble and Huemules de Nibinto. It is very important because there are several vulnerable ecosystems, such as the sclerophyllous forest of the central zone and the temperate forest of the south. It shelters more than 41 endemic species of plants, such as the Cipreste da Cordilheira and the Araucária Araucana. There are more than 40 types of fauna, including condors, huemuls, the colocolo cat and the Magalhães paca-pau, which are in danger of extinction. In its interior there are three natural attractions: the Laja River, the Antuco Vulcan and the Laja Lake.

1. Araucárias Biosphere Reserve

In this reserve located in the Araucanía Region, are grouped territories of 10 protected wild areas: the national parks Conguillío, Huerquehue, Tolhuaca and Villarrica and the national reserves Alto Biobío, Malleco, Malalcahuello, Villarrica, Nalcas and China Muerta. Its main characteristic is the presence of the species that gives it its name: the Araucária Milenar, which can live up to 1,800 years. Besides, it is possible to find species of mammals such as pudúes and guanacos. You can see the Llaima volcano, one of the most active in South America, and the Lonquimay, Sierra Nevada and Nevados de Sollipulli volcanoes, following several routes that are part of the Kütralkura Geopark, the first in Chile with 35 geological sites of interest.

1. Reserva da Biosfera das Florestas Temperadas dos Andes Austrais

This area of 2.2 million hectares is the second largest biosphere reserve in Chile and is considered one of the largest and most ecologically intact forest areas in the world. Located in the regions of Los Ríos and Los Lagos, it is composed of five national parks (Puyehue, Villarrica, Vicente Pérez Rosales, Alerce Andino and Hornopirén) and three national reserves (Mocho Choshuenco, Llanquihue and Hornopirén). Near the border with Argentina, both countries signed an agreement in 2006 for the creation of a Binational Reserve, uniting the Chilean and Argentinean Andean-Norpatagonian Biosphere Reserves. Thus, a transboundary protected area of 4.5 million hectares was created.

1. Laguna San Rafael Biosphere Reserve

Located in the Aysén region, it has an area of 1.7 million hectares, making it one of the largest biosphere reserves in Chile. Of its total area, about 400,000 hectares corresponds to the millenarian gelos of the Campos de Gelo do Norte. Also within the park is Mount San Valentín, with a height of 4,058 meters above sea level, and the San Rafael Lake and Lake San Rafael. The trips on the ice are made in small boats, from where it is possible to see the huge blocks of ice falling from the gorge and falling into the lake.

1. Torres del Paine Biosphere Reserve

Located in the region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, this place is known worldwide for its exuberant natural beauty among mountains, gullies and rivers. Several circuits can be done, the most popular are the Paine Massif and W Trail. Other alternatives for hiking are the trail to Mirador Cuernos, on the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld, trails near Salto Grande and Salto Chico, and circuits to Isla and Chorrillo de los Salmones in the area of the Lago Grey nursery.

1. Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve

Located in the extreme south of Chile, on Navarino Island, in the region of Magallanes, it was awarded as one of the 100 greenest destinations in the world. Its main attraction is the Omora Ethnobotanical Parkwhere you can see the "miniature forests", real lichen forests and other forms of vegetation that can be admired and studied with magnifying glasses. With 4.8 million hectares, it is the largest biosphere reserve in the country, composed of the Alberto de Agostini and Cabo de Hornos National Parks. It stands out for the protection of fauna species such as leopard seals, dolphins, whales, sea lions and chungungos, and for trekking to the Dientes de Navarino massif.