The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Chile

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

CHILE / CHILI

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Chile on 27 November 1981. Chile presently has 9 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 159,154 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Bahía Lomas. 06/12/04; Región de Magallanes y Antártica Chilena, 58,946 ha; 52º38'S 069º10'W. Located in northern Tierra del Fuego Island, Ramsar's second southernmost site lies on the border with Argentina and faces the Magellan Strait. It features the largest intertidal flats in Chile, fronting a 69 km long beach and several salt marshes. The bay is renowned for its high concentrations of migratory shorebirds from October to March, with records of more than 41,000 Red Knots Calidris canutus, over 88% of the population in the Americas; 4,500 Hudsonian Godwits Limosa haemastica, 23% of the global population; 12,000 White-rumped Sandpipers Calidris fuscicollis, 3% of global population, as well as near threatened species such as the Magellanic Plover Pluvianellus socialis and the Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis. Precipitation is scarce and vegetation is typical of the Patagonian steppe, dominated by the grasses Festuca pallescens and F. gracillima. Large cetaceans have frequently stranded in the flats, with 21 species recorded. Human population is very scarce and sheep grazing is the main activity, as well as oil extraction from two platforms within the flats. The impact of pollution from oil spills from large vessels as well as from the platforms is a concern, but fortunately there is large recirculation of water thanks to the prevailing currents. Ramsar site no. 1430. Most recent RIS information: 2004.

Carlos Anwandter Sanctuary. 27/07/81; Región X; 4,877 ha; 39º41’S 073º11’W. Nature and Scientific Research Sanctuary. An estuarine area of the lower Río Cruces, its tributaries and riparian zone of emergent marshes, grassland and islands, subject to tectonic subsidence. The site supports numerous waterbirds, including two endangered species, and provides nesting areas for a stable population of 3,000 individuals of the vulnerable Cygnus melanocoryphus. Human activities include livestock grazing, tourism, and use of the river for transportation. Ramsar site no. 222. [photos] Most recent RIS information: 1998.

Humedal el Yali. 02/12/96; Región V; 520 ha; 33º50’S 071º38’W. National Reserve. The most important wetlands in central and northern Chile due to their richness in species and abundance of aquatic birdlife. The site provides important feeding, nesting and refuge areas for numerous species of migratory birds. A total of 115 species of birds (including threatened, vulnerable or rare species), representing approximately 25% of all birdlife found in Chile, frequent the site. The area consists of the El Yali marsh, several brackish lakes, and two artificial saltmarshes. Meadow vegetation predominates. Over-extraction of salt draws water off the marsh and the lagoon. Surrounding areas are subject to increasing urbanization. Ramsar site no. 878. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

Laguna del Negro Francisco y Laguna Santa Rosa. 02/12/96; Región III; 62,460 ha; 27º27’S 069º13’W. National Park, Wildlife Protected Area. Two brackish water lagoons situated in closed basins surrounded by volcanic barriers. The Laguna del Negro Francisco acts as an important regulator of the biotic and abiotic elements forming the ecological web of the Andean ecosystems in the region. Of the 53 species of fauna present, approximately one third are threatened to some degree. There are vestiges of pre-Hispanic hunters and evidence of earlier occupation in the surrounding area. Human activities in the surrounding area include water extraction for mining activities; intense, illegal bird hunting, and increasingly, uncontrolled tourism. Ramsar site no. 877. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

Salar de Surire. 02/12/96; Región I; 15,858 ha; 18º51’S 069º00’W. A saltmarsh and saline lakes subject to seasonal fluctuations set in the High Andean steppe. Vegetation is determined primarily by the relief and the water availability. Numerous non-metallic minerals (calcium and boric salts) are found around the saltmarsh. One of the four most important places in Chile for nesting flamingos. The site supports various high altitude species of flora and fauna which are endangered or rare. Human activities include livestock grazing, borax mining, and tourism. Ramsar site no. 873. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

Salar de Tara. 02/12/96; Región II; 5,443 ha; 23º01’S 067º18’W. The site encompasses seasonal and permanent lagoons and salt marshes, with several small fresh or brackish ponds in the high Andes sub-desert steppe. The saline lagoons provide the main food source for flamingo species, gulls and shorebirds. Several communities in the surrounding area have animals grazing in the area, while various plant species are harvested for animal fodder, fuel and medicinal use. The area is also a tourist site. Ramsar site no. 875. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

Salar del Huasco. 02/12/96; Región I; 6,000 ha; 20º18’S 068º50’W. Seasonal, brackish lagoons and sparsely vegetated saltmarsh. Surrounding areas consist of five High Andean, sub-desert steppe vegetation types. An important group of flamingos is present at the site. Human activities include small-scale ranching and mining in the surrounding area. The saltmarsh is a source of rites and myths in the Aymara culture. A plan for groundwater extraction to supply the city of Iquique is pending. Ramsar site no. 874. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

Santuario de la Naturaleza Laguna Conchalí. 02/02/04; Región IV; 34 ha; 31º53'S 071º30'W. Nature Sanctuary, Private Reserve. A brackish coastal lagoon representative of wetlands in central Chile, where the wildlife of the Atacama-Sechura Desert and Chilean Matorral ecoregions meet, a key staging area for migratory birds along the central Chilean coast. A creek feeds freshwater to the lagoon, and during periods of high rainfall, the barrier island is flooded and the lagoon becomes an estuary. Saltmarshes are mainly composed of coastal salt grass (Distichlis spicata), alkali seaheath (Frankenia salina), and Sarcocornia peruviana. There are coastal dunes, coastal shrub-steppe vegetation, and coastal Mediterranean shrub, the latter of high conservation priority. The Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba, White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi, endemic Chilean Mockingbird Mimus thenca, and Tropidurid lizard Liolaemus zapallarensis are noteworthy species of the site. Five endemic fish species are found, including Odontesthes brevianalis and Mugil sp. The Pelambres copper mining company purchased the area in 1997, and the site was cleaned, fenced and is undergoing a restoration process. Footpaths, observatories and information panels have been placed to attract ecotourism and carry out environmental education. The mining port nearby has a contingency plan in place to avoid impacts on the site and there are no major threats currently affecting the area. The University of Chile is carrying out a monitoring and management plan. Ramsar Site no. 1374. Most recent RIS information: 2004.

Sistema hidrológico de Soncor. 02/12/96; Región II; 5,016 ha; 23º18’S 068º09’W. The wetland area consists of saltmarsh with seasonal brackish or saline ponds and four larger permanent saline lakes. The area has fairly well developed steppe vegetation, with several organisms found in the area that serve as a main food source for flamingoes, and some small gastropods serve as food for reptiles in the area. The area is also an important breeding ground for flamingos and other rare shorebirds. The surrounding area is used for grazing llamas by the communites around, and it is also a tourist site. Ramsar site no. 876. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 12 January 2000, updated 13 December 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.