Abstract

Quilimarí forest exists in strong relation with the coastal fog. It is not casual that the forest densification and the moss and lichen occur in a strong range between 800 and 1000 m a.s.l. Quilimarí forest future is uncertain, because the loss caused on biodiversity by fragmentation and edge effect. It is not easy try to stop the deforestation process. In mountain areas the agriculture biggest dilemma is the competence with forest and livestock, to overcome the gravity effect and soil erosion. Mountain farmers and peasant activities has not success. Poverty level overpasses national average and is related with overexploitation, livestock productivity and management, firewood harvest and organic soil extraction. In some communities productivity of some important crops is projected to decrease and to decline, peoples will migrate and in others the impact of climate change is the loss of forest. The coastal fog plays a central role in the water balance of the basin, especially in the high lands, where the forest interception raises. The future impact of climate change on coastal fog is projected to affect timber line. It is urgent to improve the adaptive capacity in local management.