Abstract

Bosque Fray Jorge National Park (BFJNP) possesses a natural mosaic of vegetation that includes thorn scrub (64%) and scrub with succulents (34%); these formations are representative of the Coastal Desert vegetation. Additionally, BFJNP has 224 ha (2.5%) of relict fog forest. This unique combination, partly explains its high plant species richness. The vegetation matrix surrounding the BFJNP shows evidence of changes in both the structure and cover, and it is floristically poorer than the Park. This territory includes agriculture and plantations of non-native shrubs, as well as goat herding, scattered human settlements and two wind farms. BFJNP contains a remnant of natural vegetation that dominated the Coastal Desert prior to European Colonization. Whereas the relict fog forest has been historically isolated, the desert vegetation outside the Park is increasingly losing its connectivity. We discuss how the Fray Jorge Biosphere Reserve (133,000 ha, including BFJNP as the core area with 9,000 ha), constitutes a management solution to conserve this unique biodiversity and its ecosystem services.