La Campana National Park, located in the Ocoa region of Chile, is a natural treasure that is home to a varied and lush vegetation. This impressive park is known for its diversity of flora, which includes native sclerophyll forests, such as the Chilean palm forest, cacti, and a rich mix of species endemic and unique to central Chile. The abundant vegetation of La Campana National Park offers a visual spectacle and a unique experience for nature and biodiversity lovers.
El Palmar Circuit - Item N°4
The sclerophyllous forest is a plant formation characteristic of Mediterranean climates where rainfall is concentrated in the winter months, while the summer months are usually very dry and warm. This type of forest is located between the Valparaíso region and the Biobío region, in the area commonly known as Central Chile.
The species of plants that predominate in this forest are prepared to resist drought and high summer temperatures because their leaves are very hard and thick. In addition, there is a predominance of perennial tree and shrub species, meaning that they remain green all year round. The tree coverage of this forest can reach up to 15 meters, in coexistence with smaller bushes and shrubs that shelter various species of mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. Among the elements that make up the forest you can find thorny species such as hawthorn (Vachellia caven) or Tevo (Trevoa trinervis); lauriphyllous species such as Belloto del Norte (Beilschmiedia miersii) or Peumo (Cryptocarya alba); and sclerophyllous species such as Litre (Lithraea caustica) or Quillay (Quillaja saponaria).
This type of forest is highly disturbed because it has been cut down for housing construction and agricultural activities, and has been affected by large-scale forest fires in recent decades.
El Palmar Circuit - Item N°5
The Guayacán (Porlieria chilensis) is a tree that can be found from the IV region of Coquimbo to the VI region of O'higgins on coastal and rocky hillsides and even on plains. It is a tree with thick and crooked branches and evergreen leaves that remain green all year round, so it develops optimally in the company of other plant species of the sclerophyllous forest. It is a species that has adapted well to conditions of high sun exposure and nutrient-poor soils. Its flowering occurs during the spring months and its flowers are deep purple, which allows it to attract various types of pollinators. It can reach a maximum height of 6 meters and has very hard wood, which has been traditionally used to make tools for agriculture.
It is an endemic species, meaning that it can only be found naturally in Chile. It has been declared by the Ministry of Environment as a "Vulnerable" species due to excessive logging, overgrazing and habitat alteration.
It has been studied for its ability to move water from deep layers of the soil and raise it through its roots also increasing the amount of nutrients for plants growing nearby. This capacity called hydraulic lifting would make it a key species when thinking about strategies to face climate change and aridification in Central Chile.
El Palmar Circuit - Item N°6
A hygrophilous or hydrophilous forest is an evergreen plant formation, present in valley bottoms and river banks, i.e., in conditions of very humid soils that are temporarily flooded. These swamp forests develop in areas where the geomorphology benefits the accumulation of humidity, such as ravines. Among the causes of humidity are elements such as precipitation in the form of rain, groundwater upwelling and the influence of coastal fog.
Among the species that reach the highest altitudes in the upper canopy are the Belloto del Norte (Beilschmiedia miersii), the Peumo (Cryptocarya alba), the Naranjillo (Citronella mucronata), the Canelo (Drimys winteri), the Lingue (Persea Lingue) and the Patagua (Crinodendron patagua). In the lower forest layer there are various shrubs of the Myrtaceae family such as the Myrtle (Luma apiculata).
This type of forest is very particular because it represents a disruption compared to the vegetation that predominates in the rest of La Campana National Park, which is better adapted to cope with drought, and because it forms bioclimatic refuges that have allowed the conservation of various species of endemic flora and fauna.
El Quillay Circuit - Item N°2
The Chilean Wine Palm or Jubaea chilensis is a species native to Central Chile and although it has a wide geographic distribution, ranging between the Coquimbo and Maule regions, its populations are fragmented and currently found in a few specific sites.
Since the Chilean palm population in the national territory has decreased by about 98% in the last two centuries and the rate of young specimens is very low, this species has been categorized as vulnerable.
The regeneration of palm groves is a multi-stage process since, like other plants, their flowers must be pollinated to produce fruit whose seeds must then be dispersed. Afterwards, the seeds must find the appropriate soil, temperature and humidity conditions in order to germinate. But the process does not end there, as the seedlings must be able to survive the early stages of their development in order to reach the dimensions of the palms we see in the park today.
The palm seeds, small coconuts which are highly sought after by rodent species such as the Degú (Octodon degus), are harvested for human consumption because they taste very similar to tropical coconut. Honey is also produced from the extraction of its sap, and although this is currently carried out through a sustainable process that does not harm the palm, in the past they were extracted to be drained.
When these practices are carried out indiscriminately and the normal development of the palm is altered, it interferes with its reproduction and regeneration cycle. If the soil conditions surrounding a specimen are also affected, there will be cases of isolated species. The large solitary palm is at least accompanied by trees of the sclerophyllous forest such as the Maitén (Maytenus boaria) and the Quillay (Quillaja saponaria).
El Quillay Circuit - Item N°5
As observed at different sites along this route, ecological succession takes place where species are replaced by others with better adaptive skills to the changing environmental conditions.
Within the types of succession, primary succession can be distinguished. It occurs in places where there is no vegetation, therefore the seeds of plant species from other sites colonize the soil, creating the conditions for the arrival of other species.
On the other hand, in the national park, secondary succession occurs in places where a certain vegetation formation already exists, and is gradually replaced by new species.
A good example of this is shown in this area, where some Peumo trees (Cryptocarya alba) that have reached a great height have generated the conditions of shade and humidity necessary for the proliferation of Quillay tree (Quillaja saponaria) seeds, a species better adapted to resist the decrease in precipitation and the increase in temperatures, typical consequences of climate change.
Disturbances such as wildfires, excessive logging, animal overgrazing and the extraction of leaf soil, also trigger these processes of ecological succession.
It is important to note that the extraction of leaf soil for gardens, carried out for centuries, considerably reduced the quality of the soil where the sclerophyllous forest is located; since, by removing organic matter, the availability of the nutrients that sustain it is reduced.
El Quillay Circuit - Item N°7
As you descend to the bottom of the ravine, you will feel the humidity of an environment favorable for the settlement of previously unseen species of trees such as:
The Patagua (Crinodendron patagua)
It is a fast-growing evergreen woody tree, endemic to Chile, whose bark contains tannin, a substance used for tanning leather. Its leaves are simple, elongated and have a saw-like edge. Its beautiful flowers are white, and have five petals, with honey-generating importance. Its fruit takes the form of a dry capsule, which, when ripe in late autumn, opens to release its seeds, which germinate at the end of winter.
The Canelo (Drimys winteri)
Sacred tree of the Mapuche people, it is an evergreen tree that lives only in Chile, between the Coquimbo region and Cape Horn, as well as in western Argentina. John Winter took samples of this plant to England, considering it very useful to combat scurvy, a disease that devastated the crews who crossed the Strait of Magellan in the era of exploration. His surname became associated with the scientific name of the plant.
El Quillay Circuit - Item N°9
In the Mediterranean climate zone of central Chile, it is very characteristic to find a predominant thorny scrub plant community on the slopes exposed to the north, like the one we will now visit. Typical of arid environments, its hard and sharp thorns are the result of the transformation of its leaves, which has allowed the plant to save water for its sustenance.
We enter a bush community where the Tevo scrub appears (Retanilla trinervia or Trevoa trinervis), a species present between the regions of Coquimbo and Maule, here accompanied by low forms of Litre (Lithraea caustica) and Quillay (Quillaja saponaria or Soapbark).
The Tevo is a bush with branches containing horizontal thorns in pairs, used to defend itself from predators. It has three-veined leaves and yellowish spring flowers, which bear a drupe-like fruit, hairy and ovoid. Its flower is very aromatic and has been used in the production of perfumes.
Since ancient times, the epidermis of its bark has been used to treat bruises and small superficial wounds, applied as an ointment to the affected area. It is said that it was widely used by the Picunches to heal their wounds after their battles against the European invaders.
El Quillay Circuit - Item N°13
Now we alternate with another community of thorny scrub, where succulents such as Chagual (Puya chilensis) and Quisco (Leucostele chiloensis) predominate, sharing their space with a well-diversified shrub layer.
At the end of the 18th century, Abbé Juan Ignacio Molina described for the first time the puya, a name of Mapuche origin, as a South American genus. The chagual species lives only in central Chile on the slopes of coastal hills, in the coastal mountain range. It does not grow in the Andes Mountains.
Its leaves form large clusters and have strong thorns on their edges. A powerful stem is born from the center, and culminates in a grouping of many flowers, which are visited by hummingbirds and insects. It flowers in spring from September to November, although it does not flower when the previous winter has been dry.
This plant is used for reproduction by the chagual butterfly, the largest butterfly in Chile. It lays its eggs in its base and its offspring live as caterpillars between one or two years before their metamorphosis takes place.
The quisco grows in a tree form, like a branched chandelier, up to 8 meters high. It stands out for its thick, juicy and thorny stem, its large white funnel-shaped flowers and its fruits similar to the prickly pear. Endemic to Chile, it can be found between the regions of Atacama and Maule.
Some specimens of Chilean palm are also present here, as well as in the just visited forest communities, which demonstrates a great versatility to adapt to different environmental requirements and vegetational associations.
Waterfall Circuit - Item N°2
The Chilean Mockingbird (Mimus tenca) is a bird native to Chile and Argentina, which has a wide geographical distribution in our country since it is possible to find it from Copiapó in the north to Frutillar in the south. Its habitat is usually open forests, that is, not very leafy, and areas of shrubs and bushes. It usually lays its eggs in the spring and summer months, in nests that look like cups formed by fine plant fibers and are very hidden in tree branches.
The Chilean Mockingbird is very famous for its ability to imitate the song of other birds of central Chile such as the Diuca and the Thrush. It is a completely omnivorous bird as it has been observed feeding on insects, lizards and fruits. Among its favorite fruits is the fruit of the Quintral.
The Quintral is a shrub of the Tristerix genus and grows on different trees and plants of the sclerophyllous forest. It is a hemiparasite because although it feeds on the parasitized plant, it is also capable of photosynthesis with its own leaves. The Quintral del Quisco (Tristerix aphyllus) is one of the most common in the park and with its fruit, a berry similar to a grape, attracts visitors such as the tench that when feeding on it, defecates the seed ready to germinate elsewhere.
Waterfall Circuit - Item N°12
In this place you can observe, on one hand, the Quisquito de Ocoa or Eriosyce curvispina, a cactus of spherical bushy growth, with rigid spines of dark brown and black colors. This cactus inhabits rocky sectors of the hills of central Chile, growing among rocks. Its large funnel-shaped flowers are reddish to yellowish in color, then turn into oval fruits that produce the seeds of the cactus. The Quisquito de Ocoa usually coexists with other species of the sclerophyllous scrub.
On the other hand, if you look around you can also notice that there are rocks "stained" with lichens. As we have seen in other stops on the Ocoa Routes, lichens are living beings that arise from the symbiotic association between a fungus and an algae. In La Campana National Park you can observe them inhabiting diverse environments giving colorful tones to the bark of the trees, the soil and the surface of the rocks. The color is a characteristic that will depend on the species of lichen you are observing, as they can be greenish, yellowish, orange and even blue-green. Some species can resist dry conditions for long periods of time as is the case of these rock lichens around you.
Waterfall Circuit - Item N°7
A biome is an area that is distinguished by the particular environment, vegetation and fauna that coexist there. This observation point is very special from this perspective because you can appreciate, in one place, the coexistence of the three biomes present in La Campana National Park: the deciduous and sclerophyllous forest and the low altitude scrub.
While standing on the bridge you can observe that near the water course there are tree species such as the Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis), the Maquicillo (Azara petiolaris), the Michay (Berberis actinacantha), and myrtaceae such as the Arrayán macho (Raphithamnus spinosus) or the Chequén (Luma chequen). These species correspond to the biome of the deciduous forest, with leafy treetops and a high water requirement.
Looking around you, you will notice that far from the water course there are tree species with harder leaves such as the Litre (Lithraea caustica) and the Quillay (Quillaja saponaria), which represent the sclerophyllous forest biome better adapted to sunshine and water scarcity.
But if you move a little further away from the water course, you can observe tall cacti and succulents like the Quisco (Echinopsis chiloensis) or the Chagual (Puya chilensis), in coexistence with shrubs like the Tevo (Trevoa trinervis) and even grasses like the Chuquiraga (Chuquiraga oppositifolia). These species represent the low altitude shrubland biome, adapted to the oscillating conditions between the high daily sunshine and low night temperatures of the rocky peaks of the coastal mountain range of central Chile.
Granizo - Ocoa Crossing - Item N°1
Due to the humidity at the bottom of this ravine, which collects water from the mountain range, and the shadows of its south-facing slopes, these ancient pataguas are able to settle here.
The Patagua (Crinodendron patagua) is a species typical of the hygrophilous forest of the Mediterranean climate zone, which is distributed between the Aconcagua River and the Biobío region.
It grows as a shrub or evergreen, woody tree. It reaches up to 10 meters high and settles in environments like this, both in the Coastal Range and in the Andes, reaching heights of up to 1,200 meters above sea level.
Granizo - Ocoa Crossing - Item N°3
La Campana National Park reveals itself as a fascinating natural laboratory for the study of biodiversity, highlighting the presence of lichens as indicator organisms of environmental health. Lichens, formed by symbiosis between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, play a crucial role in the ecology of the park and offer a unique window to understand the interaction between organisms and their environment.
Lichen Diversity:
Lichen diversity in La Campana National Park is notorious, reflecting a wide range of adaptations to the specific climatic and edaphic conditions of the region. The presence of species such as Cladonia rangiferina and Parmotrema tinctorum reveals the ability of these organisms to colonize diverse habitats, from rocks to tree logs.
Environmental Effects:
The study of lichens in this ecosystem provides valuable information on air quality and the presence of atmospheric pollutants. Given their sensitivity to pollution, lichens can serve as bioindicators, allowing us to evaluate the environmental health of the park and detect possible anthropogenic impacts.
Symbiotic Interactions:
The symbiotic relationship between fungal and photobiont components of lichens is essential for their survival. The specific conditions of La Campana National Park, such as altitude and relative humidity, influence the composition of these symbiotic associations, providing fertile ground for further research into the factors that determine the dynamics of these communities.
Conservation Importance:
The conservation of lichens in La Campana National Park takes on crucial importance in the context of biodiversity preservation. Since these organisms play essential ecological roles, their study and protection contribute directly to the overall health of the ecosystem, promoting the stability and resilience of the surrounding flora and fauna.
Granizo - Ocoa Crossing - Item N°4
In this sector of hygrophilous lauriphyllous forest, two new species of trees stand out, which require special environmental conditions to adapt to these latitudes.
The Lingue (Persea lingue), is endemic to Chile and is distributed between Aconcagua and Chiloé. It is an evergreen tree, reaching up to 25 m in height.
A relative of the avocado tree (Persea americana), it grows vertical when young, slowly widening its crown. Its smooth-edged leaves are elliptical, green above and reddish below. The fruit is a fleshy berry with a bluish-black seed, which especially attracts pigeons.
Its wood is highly valued. And its bark is used as an infusion in natural medicine: it contains tannin, applied in chronic dysentery and in cases of tumors, leucorrhea and chronic metritis.
The canelo (Drimys winteri), sacred tree of the Mapuche people, symbol of benevolence, peace and justice, extends between the region of Coquimbo and Cape Horn.
It is an evergreen tree, with dense foliage and a pyramidal crown. Its leaves are smooth, lustrous green on the top and grayer on the bottom. Its flowers are of regular size, pure white color and reddish petioles, which exhale a soft fragrance and conglomerate in a kind of cluster. Its fruits are blackish oval berries, containing 6 to 8 seeds.
For the machis, its bark and leaves have tonic and stimulating properties, healing pain and diseases. Its decoction was used to give baths to paralytics, in odontological treatments, ulcer and scabies. And on its branches the sick were laid down during steam baths".
It gained curative fame for the treatment of scurvy, a disease that devastated sailors crossing Cape Horn, due to the lack of vitamins. In 1579, John Winter, Sir Francis Drake's vice-admiral, took the bark to Europe after using it to cure the disease among crew members. Hence the scientific name assigned to the species is Drimys winteri.
Granizo - Ocoa Crossing - Item N°5
We are in a sector where the Tayú del Norte (Dasyphyllum excelsum), also known as palo santo, is most abundant in a very special environment, which is conducive to its survival and settlement in small communities. It is a species declared in extinction danger in the year 2022, endemic of central Chile, perennial, evergreen.
It is currently distributed in a few ravines with relict characteristics between the regions of Valparaíso and Maule, in a fraction of what would have been its original distribution.
It would be a living ancestor, being part of a group of the Asteraceae family, which according to the Argentine botanist Angel Lulio Cabrera, "would have had its origin in the mountains of the Cordillera de la Costa, from where it would have migrated to much of South America before the rise of the Andes".
You can recognize it by taking into account that it is a tree of straight and cylindrical shaft, of soft, grayish bark and marked with deep longitudinal crevices. Its stems are covered with whitish hairs. It has alternate, dark green, ovate leaves. They have thorns at the base of the leaves.
Granizo - Ocoa Crossing - Item N°8
The ascent brings us to a new forest community, a deciduous forest - twhich loses its leaves annually - with a predominance of Oak (Nothofagus macrocarpa), an endemic species, which is observed intermittently along the Coastal Range between this area through the north, and to the south of Pichilemu. And along the Andes Mountains, between the latitudes of San Fernando and Talca.
These forest formations are found in high areas, isolated from each other, where the microclimate conditions allow their survival. They are distributed in small sectors, located mainly in places with southern exposure, more humid and cold, avoiding sunlight and high rates of evapotranspiration.
They can only be found at this latitude, thanks to climatic compensation factors associated with coastal and windward fogs, which provide greater humidity to the environment. And the effect of a higher altitude on temperatures, reaching areas where it usually snows.
Its wood was intensely exploited as railroad ties for the construction of the train that linked Santiago and Valparaiso, leaving mostly young forests.
This place is also the northern limit of the Nothofagus genus in South America, which in Chile has 9 other species, characteristic of the temperate forests of the south and Patagonia.
The origin of the genus Nothofagus dates back to 80 million years ago in what is currently the Antarctic Peninsula, still part of the supercontinent of Gondwana, long before it froze. Through land bridges they were able to disperse and populate territories that are currently the southern part of Chile and Argentina, as well as Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea, currently separated by the enormous Pacific Ocean, a product of continental drift.
