The Chilean dunes as human, floral and animal habitat

Abstract

Dunes are defined as well delimited ecosystems, with extreme conditions for animal and vegetable life. Due to these characteristics very peculiar flora and fauna which is distributed in the different zones of the littoral psamosere are found. Historical information concerning the problem of the invasion of dunes in Central Chile is discussed. The difference between continental and littoral dunes is established; their distribution and present extension is given. Measures for conservation, management and control of the Chilean littoral dunes are analyzed and discussed in detail, considering the biological, archeological, geomorphological, ecological, touristic, forest and agricultural interests. Lastly, the participants to the Symposium on "The Chilean Dunes as a human, floristic and faunistic habitat" are listed. The text of each of the expositions is included in this volume of Bosque.