Valdivian rainforest

The Valdivian rainforest is a cool temperate broad-leafed and mixed forest restricted to less than 440,000 ha in the central-northern part of Chile and extending into the western edge of Argentina.  It is the world’s five major temperate rainforests and the only one in South America. The Valdivian rainforest occurs from about 37 ° 45’ S and 43°20’ S.

The Valdivian forest occupies the areas of Valdivia and Los Lagos that have not been cleared for agriculture. The zone contains dense forests of evergreen broadleaf trees and shrubs with waxy, dark green laurel like leaves.

To the north the Valdivian forest give way to a Mediterranean type vegetation, whereas to the south lies the Magellanica sub-microthermal ecosystem. The forest is significant for its outstanding level of biodiversity and endemism.

The World Wildlife Fund (MMF) included the region as one of 200 to ‘ecoregions’ in the world requiring immediate conservation action.

The Valdivian ecoregions includes forests dominated primarily by southern beach (Nothofagus spp), evergreen microphyllous (small leaves, and lauriphyllous (hard leave) forest as well as conifers, which can live up to 4000 years and grow to heights of 60 m with a diameter of 5 m.
Valdivian rainforest