Over 35 thousand hectares of araucaria have been lost in La Araucanía and the threat to the species advances

Over 35 thousand hectares of araucarias lost in 24 years due to fires, human intervention, and climate change are recorded in La Araucanía. Specialists warn that the decline could continue if the threats to the species persist.

The area of araucarias in southern Chile has steadily decreased since 2002, with a loss of 36 thousand hectares, according to an analysis by the Department of Agronomic Sciences and Natural Resources of the Universidad de La Frontera, led by Rubén Carrillo and supported by the Fundación Sendero de Chile.

The calculation considers records of large forest fires and cumulative events in protected areas, which affect a species whose total distribution does not exceed 250 thousand hectares.

Among the main incidents are the 2002 fires in the Malleco National Reserve, which devastated nearly 20 thousand hectares, and the 2015 fires in the China Muerta National Reserve, with over 6,600 hectares of araucaria damaged. Added to these are recent fires in sectors near the Conguillío National Park.

Rubén Carrillo indicated that, although the species is protected as a natural monument—which prohibits its logging—illegal cuttings and human interventions persist.

Along with this, livestock farming, which consumes its seeds, and the massive collection of piñones contribute to limiting its natural regeneration.

Climate change worsens the scenario. The increase in temperatures, the prolongation of droughts, and the lower availability of water in the soils hinder the development of the species.

Carrillo added that the situation is especially critical in sectors such as the Nahuelbuta National Park, where populations are small and fragmented, which reduces their regeneration and raises the risk to their survival.

Currently, the araucaria is classified as vulnerable in the Andes mountain range and endangered in the coastal mountain range. If these conditions persist, the reduction of its area will continue in the coming years, the specialist warned.

Source:BiobioChile