Urban wetlands and biocultural heritage of Coquimbo Bay (Chile)

Abstract

The La Serena-Coquimbo conurbation has experienced rapid urban growth due to real estate development and road infrastructure. This has led to the fragmentation and loss of its natural areas (wetlands), with consequent impacts on biodiversity. Wetlands are combined with socially constructed spaces (e.g., parks), both of which comprise the city’s ecosystem and constitute its biocultural heritage. To document some of the distinctive elements of this heritage, we analyzed vertebrate phyletic diversity in three coastal wetlands in Coquimbo Bay using standard methods. For the analysis of cultural heritage, we followed a qualitative, exploratory approach. We recorded 22 orders, 48 families, 120 genera, and 154 vertebrate species. Native species represented 93 % of the total, and introduced species represented 6.5 %. The avifauna richness of urban wetlands was high compared to other cities in the country. We identified several relevant cultural heritage sites, such as plazas, fishing coves, beaches, and food markets in the metropolitan area. We discussed the potential relationships between biodiversity, urban wetlands, and other elements of the conurbation’s biocultural heritage.