Study of the wetlands of the Region made a cadastre of flora and fauna present in 34 wetlands

Within the framework of the Comprehensive Diagnosis of Los Ríos Wetlands, and after carrying out field campaigns in autumn, winter and summer in 34 wetlands of different communes, the presence of 200 species of native and endemic flora, 95 species of introduced flora, around 100 species of birds, 6 amphibians and 13 wild mammals.

Lorenzo Palma, Science in Chile.– Have you seen a large Chilean frog, a swamp crow or a huillín? These are some of the species that the Edaphic, Soils and Environment team has managed to observe in some of the 34 prioritized rural wetlands in the Los Ríos region, within the framework of the “Comprehensive Diagnosis of Wetlands in the Los Ríos Region”. ”, which is led and financed by the Regional Government of Los Ríos.

A total of ten people participated in the field days collecting information, where 25 camera traps were installed that delivered thousands of images and videos of species as difficult to observe as the pudú or the guiña.

“The figures may still vary with the final delivery of the study, because some images from camera traps installed in wetlands are still being processed, and the systematization of field data also continues, but this background brings us closer to the number of species of flora and fauna present in the region’s wetlands”, commented Camila Molina, general coordinator of the study and of the land of stage 4 under development.

The Edáfica team visited continental and intertidal wetlands, of the riparian, emergent marsh, wooded marsh and lacustrine type, managing to identify the presence of 200 species of native and endemic flora, 95 species of introduced flora, around 100 species of birds, 6 amphibians and 13 wild mammals, although to the latter is added the presence of domestic dogs and farm animals such as cows and pigs.

The Regional Governor of Los Ríos, Luis Cuvertino, explained that this Diagnosis is essential to think about the region’s wetlands in the long term. “This study will allow us to value the natural heritage of the wetlands of the 12 communes, an example of this is knowing which species inhabit them, and which of them are more vulnerable than others to the climate changes we face.”

mammals

In the studied wetlands there are species of mammals with conservation problems, these are the pudú and the güiña, which are within the Vulnerable category and also the huillín under the Endangered category. Camila Molina explained that specimens of these species were observed through camera traps in hualve-type wetlands or swamp forest, emphasizing the importance of relieving these ecosystems as habitat, where species such as the pudú, güiña and huillín find refuge and food. , in an environment of transition from water to drier environments.

Finally, the Edáfica team recalled that this diagnosis delivers progress reports and finished products to the Regional Government and, part of the products are made public on the site. www.humedaleslosrios.cl