Map of the Temperate Jungle

These forests have a unique spectrum of life and unusually high biodiversity for its temperate climate. Some trees have been found that are more than 3600 years old.

But most of the forest has already been cut down or damaged, and the last intact areas are threatened by the timber industry. Only a quarter of the remaining forests remains in a relatively undisturbed condition with at least 10,000 hectares. These forests are at greatest threat along the coastal mountain ranges and in the northern region where only a few of the ancient forests remain, mostly unprotected.

Already over 10 percent of Chile's forest has been converted to plantations, most of which are dominated by exotic species.

copyright 2002 Greenpeace/Global Forest Watch

Potentially intact ancient forest, >50,000 heactares

Other forests

Sources: Based on information generated by the project "Official Land Register and Evaluation of the Native Vegetative Resources of Chile", Conama. Birf. Uach. Puc. Uct 1999, University of Maryland 2000