A VEGETATION MAP OF NEVADOS DE CHILLAN VOLCANIC COMPLEX, BIO-BIO REGION, CHILE

Resumo

A vegetation survey of the Andean Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex, Bío-Bío Region, Chile, resulted in the preparation of a colour vegetation map, based on photo-interpretation of an aerial photograph of 1998. Classification followed a divisive method and combined physiognomic, floristic, and pedologic criteria. It resulted in eleven distinguishable vegetation units: (1) Nothofagus dombeyi forest, (2) N. pumilio forest, (3) Nothofagus mixed forest, (4) N. pumilio krummholz, (5) N. antarctica krummholz, assemblages of (6) Adesmia emarginata-Pozoa coriacea, (7) Adesmia emarginataBerberis empetrifolia, (8) Adesmia emarginata-Loasa lateritia, (9) Chusquea culeou-Coirones, and (10) Caltha sagittataMimulus luteus, and the (11) Nassauvia revoluta-Poa obvallata assemblage which builds the upper vegetational belt. The study area´s vegetation, located in the Mediterranean-temperate transition zone, shows a higher floristic affinity to temperate regions´ vegetation.