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CONAF and U.Santo Tomás Explore Scientific Alliance to Strengthen Alerce Restoration

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During a visit to the Huillilemu nursery, owned by the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), researchers led by Dr. César Marín, an academic from Santo Tomás University, met with professionals from the restoration program to advance a key scientific collaboration for the conservation of this ancient species.

The goal of this alliance is to deeply study the relationship between the roots of the alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) and the soil fungi community, a fundamental symbiosis for the healthy and sustainable development of this endemic species in southern Chile. This knowledge is expected to significantly improve, in the medium and long term, the production of alerce plants destined for ecological restoration programs.

The regional director of CONAF, Arnoldo Shibar, highlighted the activity, stating, "We are developing a working alliance with Santo Tomás University, which seeks to scientifically explore the relationship between soil fungi and alerce roots, precisely with a restoration focus that we are carrying out in the Alerce Costero National Park. For us, it is essential to develop activities and actions that favor these long-term restoration processes and involve generating knowledge and capabilities among our professionals."

The work is part of the alerce forest restoration project that CONAF is implementing under the National Strategy on Climate Change and Vegetation Resources (ENCCRV) through the FAO's +Forests program, with the support of the Reforestemos Foundation.

"For us at CONAF, it is very important to engage and continue working jointly with the top scientific researchers from the Austral University of Chile," said Patricio Contreras Bravo, a CONAF professional, who emphasized the value of applied science in conservation efforts.

The alliance represents a new step in integrating academic research with public policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.