La Campana-Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve, Chile

This Biosphere Reserve includes the Campana National Park and the Lago Peñuelas National Reserve. The relief is gently undulating with some small hills and several gullies. The highest peaks are ‘El Roble’ (2,222 metres above sea level), and ‘La Campana’ (1,920 metres). The major vegetation type is scrubland with Looser (Cryptocarya alba) a species of the family Lauraceae, boldea fragran (Peumus boldus), and winter's bark (Drimys winteri).

Ecological Characteristics

This Biosphere Reserve includes various ecosystems, all hosting endemic species: Hygrophyll forests are present in the lower parts of gullies and on humid slopes, with species such as: Crinodendron patagua, Persea lingue, Dasyphyllum excelsum and Beilschmiedia miersii; Sclerophyll forests hosting Cryptocarya alba, Boldo (Peumus boldus) and the Soapbark tree (Quillajasaponaria); Deciduous forests of Nothofagus maccrocarpa; Palm forests with the Chilean palm species Jubaea chilensis; Spiny shrub formations with Acacia caven and Schinus polygamus; Xerophyllous and chusquea culeou shrubland;-  Highland steppe shrubland; formation of large Puyasor ‘‘chaguales’’ (Puya chilensis, P. coerulea, P. berteroniana).

There is also a body of water with a surface area covering 1,600 in good years, forming an important wetland for migratory birds and occasional resident ones, where 125 species of aquatic, riparian and terrestrial birds have been recorded.

Socio-Economic Characteristics

The population that lives in the region amounts to 990,641 people, mostly urban. However,  populations close to to the core areas of the La Campana - Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve, mainly in the case of the La Campana National Park and the Cerro El Roble Nature Sanctuary, have a more rural condition than the surrounding municipalities.

New restrictions for construction in neighboring regions, such as Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, has favored a population increase in the Biosphere Reserve.

Most activities are related to agriculture and tourism. In the past few years, the Biosphere Reserve has boosted a campaign to promote ecotourism, particularly related to the vineyards and avocado farmlands. 

 

Back to Biosphere Reserves in Chile
Back to Biosphere Reserves in Latin America and the Caribbean
Back to World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Last updated: June 2020