Abstract

The relation between landscape and heritage is approached from the comparison between the environmental perception of the members of two communities of the river Valdivia basin - Milleuco in the Andes range and Las Coloradas in the coast. The comparison was carried out using content analysis of the transcript of group conversations. These results were contrasted with the characteristics of the environment, finding a strong correlation between environmental perception, local ecology and heritage. This correlation highlights the cultural pattern that organizes the residents' perception, influencing the chances that the communities have of surviving in their environments. Such chances are given by the valorization of the perceived features of the environment which, by means of collective practice, are turned into part of their heritage, turning them into landmarks not only for the local identity but for the conservation of nature.