STRUCTURE AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE CURRENT AND POTENTIAL VEGETATION OF THE ‘CIENAGAS DEL NAME’ WETLAND IN CENTRAL CHILE: A STUDY OF THE HABITATS OFFER

Abstract

‘Ciénagas del Name’ is a freshwater wetland located in the coastal mountain range of Cauquenes, Maule Region, Chile, facing multiple conservation threats. The objective of this study was to analyze the importance of the wetland vegetation as habitats for flora and fauna in order to promote its inclusion in the Chilean National System of State Protected Areas and, therefore, ensure its conservation. It was found that aquatic and terrestrial vegetation surrounding the ‘Cienagas del Name’ wetland comprises 15 communities: 4 water communities (Potamogetetum lucentis, Utriculario-Ceratophylletum chilensis, Lemno-Azolletum filiculoidis, Polygono-Ludwigietum peploidis), 4 swamps (Scirpetum californiae, Juncetum procerii, Mentho-Junccetum microcephalii and Juncetum microcephalii) and 7 terrestrial communities (Quillajo-Lithraetum, Temo-Myrceugenietum exsuccae, Guterriezo-Baccharietum linearis, Rubo-Cestretum parquii, Cestro-Trevoetum trinervis (espinal with Acacia caven), pine plantation and vineyards. Species richness and the state of degradation of communities increase in a gradient from aquatic to terrestrial environment. These results confirm the potential of this vegetation diversity in terms of habitat for native flora and fauna, which allows the designation of this wetland as a protected area under the category ‘Nature Sanctuary’