Professional Documents
Culture Documents
What Is A Hotspot?
For a region to qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, two main criteria must be met: At least 70% of the regions original habitat must have been lost The region must have over 1,500 endemic species of vascular plants, which is greater than 5% of the worlds total vegetation
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/
-There are 1,957 endemic plant species (greater than 1,500) -Remaining area is 119,143 square km of the original 397,142 square km (greater than 70% decrease) Conclusion: YES.
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/hotspots/chilean_forests/Pages/default.aspx
Types of Ecosystems
Four types of forest ecosystems:
Deciduous forests- climate similar to Mediterranean climate
Nothofagus alpina, N.obliqua
Patagonian Andean forests- Found along the Andes mountain front, dominated by conifers
Araucaria araucana, Fitzroya cupressoider
Northern Patagonian forests- dominate the southern half of the region, vegetation includes broadleaf and conifer
Nothofagus dombeyi, Drimys winteri, Podocarpus nubigenus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valdivian_temperate_rain_forests
Socio-Economic Conditions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_mountain_cat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_of_Chile
Whats Happening?
Causes:
Overgrazing, urbanization, invasive species Technology advancements (hydro-electric dams) Construction and development implemented to coastal areas to increase tourist activity Man-made forests made for the purpose of slowing erosion/soil stabilization, which fragments stands of native vegetationslows the gene flow among plant species Also acts as a barrier to many animals specific to the habitat
In 2003, the government succeeded in purchasing 60,000km of land in an open auctionmore cooperation betwen the government and the private sector is needed
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/hotspots/chilean_fore sts/Pages/conservation.aspx
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/h otspots/chilean_forests/Pages/default.aspx