Natural resources,land use and degradation in the coastal zone of Arauco and the Nahuelbuta Range,Central Chile

Studies of soil, sediments and vegetation cover on the coastal zone and at the Nahuelbuta Range, Province of Arauco, Central Chile, often provide insights into the landscape development and vegetation succession during the Quaternary. The present vegetation reflects the climatic changes operating since the Pleistocene and the degradation brought about by human action since the land opening by colonists. Increasing pressures by timber companies are causing a replacement of the original forests by pines and eucalyptus and the encroachment of crop lands used for the production of staples by Mapuche Indians.