The forest types of the Valdivian Ecoregion

Alerce Fitzroya cupressoides, Chile. Alerce trees (Fitzroya cupressoides) after a deliberately set fire. Chile

The Alerce Forest

Characteristics and distribution

Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) is an endemic species found in both the Coastal and the Andes mountains between 39º50` and 43º30` south. It tends to grow mainly in sites with poorly developed or poorly drained soils (CONAF 1998).

In the Coastal Range, alerce is commonly associated with canelo (Drimys winteri) coïgue de Chiloé (Nothofagus nitida), tineo (Weinmannia trichosperma), and mañio hembra (Saxegothaea conspicua).

In poorly drained areas it also grows with ciprés de la cordillera (Pilgerodendron uviferum) and tepú (Tepualia stipularis).

In the Andes Range, it is found with mañio de hojas punzantes (Podocarpus nubigena), tepú (T. stipularis), coïgue de Magallanes (Nothofagus betuloides), and Sphagnum spp. (Donoso, 1995).

Threats faced

In 1997, a CONAF survey indicated there were 263,191 hectares of alerce forest in the ecoregion. Fifty-four percent of the original area occupied by these forests has been lost (UACh, 2000).

Alerce has been granted legal protection, and a total of about 25,626 hectares are found in Coastal Alerce Natural Monument and national parks such as Alerce Andino, Chiloé, and Hornopirén. Nonetheless, the species is still highly threatened due to illegal cutting in other areas, especially close to Fresia (CONAF, 1998). The wood is highly prized for shingles, beams, and paneling.

Some interesting facts

Alerce is the only species in its genus.
It is a gigantic tree, reaching heights of up to 70 meters and diameters of up to 4 meters.
It can live anywhere from 1000 to 3600 years (CONAF, 1998), making it the second longest-lived tree in the world.

Sources of information:

CONAF, GTZ. 1998. Experiences in silviculture: Sustainable management of Chile's native forest. Publicaciones lo castillo S.A. 420 pp.

CONAF, CONAMA, BIRF. 1997. Survey and evaluation of native plant resources of Chile.

FVSA. 1999. Maps of the Valdivian ecoregion forests, 1:500,000 scale. Technical Bulletin, Fundación Vida Silvestre de Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 7 pp.

Donoso, C. 1995. Temperate Rainforests of Chile and Argentina. Structural variation and dynamics. Editorial Universitaria. Santiago, Chile. 483 pp.

UACh, 2000. Original vegetation cover in the Valdivian ecoregion around the year 1550.