BIODIVERSITY
BIODIVERSITY IN THE GEOPARK
The Maule mountain range is a meeting point between two great biological worlds: the forest sclerophyllous from central Chile, with species such as the litre, the quillay and the boldo, and the deciduous forests of Nothofagus, characteristic of the south of the country, where we find lenga, oak, and coigüe trees. This transition, combined with the marked altitudinal variation of the Andean landscape, generates a succession of vegetation floors ranging from Mediterranean scrubland and mixed forests to high-altitude steppes, mountain meadows, and periglacial environments. The unique combination of climates, altitudes, and ecosystems makes the Maule mountain range home to numerous endemic species and in one of the Chile's main biodiversity hotspots.
VEGETATION FLOORS
A vegetation zone is a strip of the landscape where a characteristic type of vegetation predominates, determined mainly by altitude, climate and environmental conditions.
Click on the following vegetation zones of the Pillanmapu Geopark to learn more about them.
This floor is composed of trees and shrubs adapted to the strong seasonality of the Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers. The predominant species are... xerophytes with thorns, small leaves, or thick cuticles—like the carob, hawthorn, and clover—which reduce water loss. It usually occupies low to mid-elevation areas, in poor soils with high sun exposure, where other plant formations fail to establish themselves.
Characterized by species of hard, evergreen leaves —with species such as quillay, boldo, peumo, and litre— this forest has evolved to withstand long periods of summer drought. It features a relatively continuous tree canopy, a diverse shrub layer, and numerous endemic species of central Chile. It is one of the most representative formations of the country's Mediterranean zone and appears on warm slopes and inland valleys.
Similar to the inland sclerophyllous forest, but adapted to colder, windier conditions and with a greater influence from the Andes. Here, species such as the litre and quillay coexist with Andean shrubs and cold-resistant herbs. As altitude increases, it becomes sparser and more transitional, marking the transition to deciduous vegetation and forests of Nothofagus.
It features trees that They lose their leaves in autumn, like oak (Nothofagus obliquaHualo and raulí trees, adapted to cold winters with occasional snow, exhibit pronounced seasonality: intense green in spring, red and yellow foliage in autumn, and bare branches in winter. This zone appears at mid-altitudes, where humidity increases and the Mediterranean climate begins to blend with temperate-Andean conditions.
It is the warmest expression of deciduous forests, found in pre-Andean areas and sheltered valleys. Although dominated by species of Nothofagus, It coexists with elements of the sclerophyllous forest. Seasonality is marked, but the thermal influence of the valley mitigates the severity of the winter, allowing a mixture of species and greater structural diversity.
Located at higher altitudes and with a greater influence from cold and humid climates, this zone is dominated by the lenga (Nothofagus pumilio), It is accompanied by high-altitude ñirre and coigüe trees. It develops in areas with long snow seasons and strong winds, representing the final transition to subalpine environments. It is a key formation for mountain biodiversity and constitutes habitat for endemic and sensitive species.
It consists of low, hardy shrubs, such as colliguay, guayacán, and mountain grasses, capable of withstanding strong winds, frost, and stony soils. It is a vegetation pioneer It typically colonizes open or eroded areas, appearing between 1,000 and 2,000 meters above sea level. It plays a crucial ecological role in soil retention, water infiltration, and providing habitat for wildlife.
Composed of tough grasses, perennial herbs, and cold-adapted species, this vegetation zone is found in floodplains, ravine bottoms, and high slopes. It supports native and domesticated herbivores and plays a vital role in water availability, as many of these grasslands are associated with wetlands or are located near watercourses. It exhibits significant seasonal changes and is essential for high-altitude fauna.
This includes areas where altitude, climate, or substrate prevent plant growth: bare rocks, recent lava flows, volcanic sands, boulder fields, debris glaciers, or areas with prolonged snow cover. These extreme environments act as source zones for sediments and are key to understanding the geomorphology and dynamics of the mountain.
Discover some of the vegetation zones of the Geopark
ECOSYSTEMS
An ecosystem is a functional unit made up of a community of organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) that interact with each other and with the environment. physical environment that surrounds them, such as climate, soil, water, and topography. Each ecosystem maintains a dynamic equilibrium where living beings depend on the environment, and the environment, in turn, is transformed by biological activity.
A ecosystem It is not the same as a vegetation floor, although they sometimes overlap.
Ecosystems of the Pillanmapu Geopark
FLORA
The flora of the Pillanmapu Geopark directly reflects this diversity of environments: from species typical of the driest and warmest areas to plants adapted to the extreme cold of the high mountains. Throughout the territory, trees, shrubs, and herbs coexist, representing both the Mediterranean identity of central Chile and the Andean and temperate influence of the south. Emblematic species thrive in scrublands, forests, meadows, and high Andean steppes—some widely distributed, others endemic and restricted to the Maule mountain range—making San Clemente an exceptional mosaic of vegetation.
Below you will find a selection of representative species from this botanical wealth:
FAUNA
The diversity of landscapes and ecosystems of the Pillanmapu Geopark is also reflected in its fauna, which combines species typical of the Mediterranean climate with animals highly specialized in mountain life. Among the forests, scrublands, rivers, and high Andean environments live mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that find refuge, food, and unique conditions here. Endemic species and those of high conservation value stand out—such as the Phymaturus loboi and the Alsodes Pehuenche— along with other emblematic species of the Maule mountain range, such as the colocolo cat, the Andean eagle, the culpeo fox and a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial birds.
Below, you will find some of the species of this exceptional territory.
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