Chilean Patagonia: Diverse Ecosystems, Climate, and Wildlife

South American Ecosystems: Climate, Flora, and Fauna

This document details various South American ecosystems, focusing on their unique wildlife, vegetation, soil types, and climatic conditions across different regions.

National Monuments: Araucaria and Larch Forests

Between 37º and 40º South Latitude (LS), in the Andes Cordillera (AC), the Nahuelbuta Araucaria forest appears. These magnificent trees, reaching 50 meters in height and growing up to 1000 years old with a diameter of 1 to 2 meters, thrive in volcanic soils with precipitation (PP) ranging from 1500 to 4000 mm.

At 39º and 43º LS, the Larch (_Fitzroya cupressoides_) is found in both the Pelada Mountain Range and the Coastal Range (CA). It is an evergreen tree, reaching up to 50 meters tall as an adult, known for its durable and easy-to-work wood. Besides these species, the forests also feature Lenga (_Nothofagus pumilio_), evergreen Ñirre (_Nothofagus antarctica_), and Antarctic Beech (_N. antarctica_), forming a thick forest and maquis, along with copihues, quilas, and various flowers and orchids.

Volcanic Soils and Hydrology

Reddish-brown soils, laterite or Inceptisols, developed on moraines, are light red with a sandy-clay texture, undergoing laterization and podzolization. Distinct soil types include:

• Andepts (Inceptisols suborder): Occupy high and steep areas with strong mantle erosion and diverse colors, well-suited for forest growth.
• Soils with rolling hills: Found in inland areas with moderate erosion, suitable for wheat and oats.
• Aquepts (Inceptisols suborder): Characterize flat roofs, valleys, and small depressions with a distinctive gray-green first horizon. These soils have a permeable sandy loam texture and are suitable for crops such as potatoes, corn, hay, beans, and wheat.

Warm Non-Humid Interior Region

This region, located in the central plain, experiences a temperate rainforest climate with two to three semiarid months. Relative humidity (HR) ranges from 75% to 85%, with average temperatures below 10 ºC for 4 or 5 months, and cold weather that freezes water. The vegetation consists of rainforests and broad-leaved evergreen forests. The landscape is influenced by agricultural activity, and wildlife, such as the pudu (the world's smallest deer), is present, similar to previous regions.

Volcanic Ash Soils

Volcanic ash soils (2.5 to 10 cm on the horizon) are slightly acidic and rich in organic matter, with a black or dark brown silty texture and strong granular structure. In the Central Depression (DI), wetlands dominate.

Cold Humid Temperate Climate: Oceanic or Subantarctic

Between Osorno and Llanquihue, calcic brown soils (Ultisols) are found. Formed under a humid temperate climate, they support woody vegetation and feature a rich, dark or black humus horizon. Infiltration leaches bases, leading to their characterization as acidic soils. South of the Central Depression (DI) and Coastal Range (DC), from 42º LS, the Andes Cordillera (AC) openly dominates. This region features temperate rainforest on the windward slope and cold steppe on the leeward side.

Region of the Ice Fields

This spectacular region is home to vast ice fields.

• North Icefield: Covering 5,000 km², with an approximate altitude of 1,500 m. Notable glaciers include San Rafael, San Quintín, Reichart, Steffen, Benito, Soler, Nef, Colonia, North Wall, South Wall, Grosse, and Explorers.
• South Icefield: Spanning 14,000 km², also at an approximate altitude of 1,500 m. Glaciers like Dickson and Grey are prominent, originating lakes such as O'Higgins and Viedma.

Trans-Andean Rivers and Lakes Region

Notable rivers include the Baker, which encompasses Lake General Carrera. This region's landscape is significantly shaped by glacial influence.

Western Pacific Slope Region

This region experiences cold temperate rain with average temperatures below 10 ºC and precipitation (DB) of 3000 mm per year or more.

Subantarctic Deciduous Forest Formations

The Subantarctic Deciduous Forest is found in the western parts of the Andes, from Continental Chiloé to Lake General Carrera. This forest type includes Lenga (_Nothofagus pumilio_), Coigüe (_Nothofagus dombeyi_), Guaitecas Cypress (_Pilgerodendron uviferum_), and Magellan's Oak (_N. nitida_), along with Cinnamon and Dwarf Maqui. Fauna includes the pudu, guanaco, Andean deer, red fox, puma, and wild boar. This forest is also identifiable in areas like Last Hope Sound, Brunswick Peninsula, Dawson Island, and the contours of the islands south of the Beagle Channel.