Altos de Lircay National Reserve, Nature reserve in Talca Province, Chile.
Altos de Lircay National Reserve is a protected area in Talca Province that covers pre-Andean mountain terrain with three major rivers and changing vegetation zones at different elevations. The landscape includes volcanic peaks and shifts from forests to open grasslands as you move up the slopes.
The reserve was established in 1996 to protect the mountain forests and habitats of this region. It received protection status as an IUCN category IV area, which means active management focuses on preserving species and their environment.
The Piedra de los Platos archaeological site preserves ancient rock carvings that reveal the long presence of indigenous peoples in this mountain area. These marks show how communities have been connected to this landscape for generations.
The climate is Mediterranean with hot summers exceeding 30°C and cold winters, so pack clothing for varying temperatures. Be prepared for different weather conditions as you move between lower and higher elevations within the reserve.
The forest here contains an unusual variety of species: seven different types of Nothofagus trees grow within the reserve and make up about 70 percent of all Chilean Nothofagus varieties. This concentration of southern beech species makes the area botanically notable.
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