Valdivian

Although not rich in species, the plant communities of the Valdivian Forests also include primitive Asteraceae species and representatives of the Andean family Calyceraceae, both thought to be remnants of ancient plant communities from the supercontinent Gondwanaland.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

The Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests Hotspot represents the crossroads of two major floristic and faunistic regions: the Neotropical and ancient Gondwanan provinces.

Argentina 2009

Around 50,000 km2, or 12.8 percent, of the original land area of the Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests is under official protection, and fortunately most of it is in protected areas in The World Conservation Union (IUCN) categories I to IV.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

The ecosystems of the Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests face severe pressure from human activities and development.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

Unlike the other Mediterranean-type climate zones, fires are not a major natural part of the ecosystem in the Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests, and plant and animal species are not adapted to its effects.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

While a limited level of scientific knowledge about existing species hampers effective conservation in the Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests, the biggest long-term conservation challenge is the land tenure situation.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

The Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests Hotspot represents the crossroads of two major floristic and faunistic regions: the Neotropical and ancient Gondwanan provinces.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

Two examples from the Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests region are the development of coastal areas for tourism and the construction of highways and hydroelectric complexes.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

Plant diversity in the winter-rainfall area is around 3,539 species (compared with the Valdivian Forests which support only around 1,284 species), of which 1,769 (50 percent) are endemic to that subunit.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009

A virtual continental island bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Andes Mountains on the east, and the Atacama Desert in the north, the Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests Hotspot harbors richly endemic flora and fauna.

Biological diversity in the Chilean winter rainfall-valdivian forests 2009