Focal landscapes in the Valdivian Ecoregion

The Coastal Range-Andes Biological Corridor

The Coastal Range-Andes Corridor is located in the Central Valley zone between the Tolten and Bueno Rivers. Unlike the rest of the Central Valley which has largely been converted to farms, pasture, and exotic timber plantations, this area still houses large fragments of native forest.

The Corridor initiative - trying to save the forests

Historically, the Coastal and Andes Ranges were connected by forests that covered the Central Valley. These low elevation forests have almost disappeared, however, as land has been cleared for other uses.

An initiative to research, plan for, and maintain forest connectivity through this corridor was first launched in 2002 in conjunction with three other organizations: Fundación Senda Darwin (Darwin's Path Foundation), which specializes in biological conservation research; CIPMA (Center for Environmental Research and Planning); and Parques para Chile (Parks for Chile), an organization which has made a significant contribution to the development of private protected areas in the region.

Since then, experts from CASEB (Centre for Advanced Ecological Studies - Catholic University of Chile) have joined the initiative and offer expertise in applied research and the design of biodiversity plans.

The Corridor initiative seeks to maintain the forests, species, processes and functions that are housed there over the long term.