Abstract

The biological diversity of the Chilean marine ecosystem (CME) has recently become an issue of interest to Chilean scientists and authorities concerned about the impact of human activities and ongoing climate change on the structure, functioning, and sustainable use of this large marine region, recognized as one of the most productive ecosystems of the world`s is oceans. In this paper, the available information is examined in order to describe the major environmental characteristics of the CME and its associated flora and fauna, both in the benthic and pelagic systems, with the main goal of identifying environmental discontinuities and boundaries which may serve to define biogeographical units and characterize their biodiversity patterns. Physical and chemical processes are also described. In the pelagic system, three major regions may be identified: (1) the Northern Upwelling Region (18