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Nearly a Quarter of Biobío's Territory is Covered by Native Forest

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• Monitoring reveals that 24.9% of the Biobío Region is covered by native forest, a significant figure for biodiversity and natural heritage.

The Integrated Monitoring System for Native Forest Ecosystems (SIMEF) program, led by the Forestry Institute (INFOR) and supported by CONAF and CIREN, recently published infographics showing that 24.9% of the Biobío Region's surface area consists of native forest. This data is part of a series of explanatory materials aimed at informing the public about the importance and extent of native forests in Chile.

INFOR's executive director, Dr. Sandra Gacitúa, emphasized the relevance of these infographics: "It is vital for the population to understand not only the importance of native forests but also their presence in the region and their contribution to the ecosystem." The 16 SIMEF infographics provide detailed regional information, including the number of hectares of native forest and plantations, representation percentages, tree counts, and key native species.

In the Biobío Region, the figures are clear: 597,573 hectares of native forest, representing 24.9% of its total area, equivalent to 0.38 hectares per inhabitant. In contrast, plantations cover 875,174 hectares, occupying 36.4% of the regional territory.

INFOR highlights native forest species in the region, such as the Chilean cedar (Austrocedrus chilensis), roble (Nothofagus obliqua), and guindo santo (Eucryphia glutinosa). "These infographics are an excellent way to learn more about our native forest heritage," added Gacitúa.

SIMEF, as a permanent state program, provides official, integrated, standardized, and updated information on Chile's native forest ecosystems, using data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), CONAF's Vegetation Resources and Land Use Survey, and INFOR's National Forest Inventory.

Law 20,283, on the Recovery of Native Forests and Forestry Promotion, defines native forests and establishes the basis for modern legislation in Latin America aimed at the sustainable development of native vegetation resources. This regulation seeks to promote the social and economic progress of rural communities in harmony with environmental protection.