Wildfire risk is latent in Chilean metropolitan areas characterized by the strong presence of wildland–urban interfaces (WUIs). The Concepción metropolitan area (CMA) constitutes one of the most representative samples of that dynamic. The wildfire risk in the CMA was addressed by establishing a model of five categories (near zero, low, moderate, high, and very high) that represent discernible thresholds in fire occurrence, using geospatial data and satellite images describing anthropic–biophysical factors that trigger fires. Those were used to deliver a model of fire hazard using machine learning algorithms, including principal component analysis and Kohonen self-organizing maps in two experimental scenarios: only native forest and only forestry plantation. The model was validated using fire hotspots obtained from the forestry government organization. The results indicated that 12.3 % of the CMA's surface area has a high and very high risk of a forest fire, 29.4 % has a moderate risk, and 58.3 % has a low and very low risk. Lastly, the observed main drivers that have deepened this risk were discussed: first, the evident proximity between the increasing urban areas with exotic forestry plantations and, second, climate change that threatens triggering more severe and large wildfires because of human activities.

Los ambientes lacustres de montaña son altamente sensibles a modificaciones climáticas y antrópicas, el lago Laja en Chile central presenta modificaciones severas en los últimos años, impactando toda su cuenca. Mediante el análisis diacrónico de imágenes satelitales multitemporales Landsat (1986-2016), con clasificación supervisada (ENVI) y evaluados los cambios (Idrisi Andes), buscamos definir los principales factores que explicarían los cambios en este sistema lacustre, mediante el análisis de las coberturas de suelo, la distribución de los derechos de agua y los datos climáticos. Se observa una reducción de precipitaciones de 1500-2000 mm a 970-780 mm anuales y un aumento sostenido de la temperatura entre 1,3-1,6 °C, además se reconocieron fluctuaciones de la cobertura de superficie inundada del lago de 9.994,63 ha (1985) a 5.135,6 ha (2013), es decir, una reducción en el período de 48,6%. Entonces el retroceso sistemático del lago Laja no se explica por las variaciones climáticas analizadas, lo que nos lleva a inferir que el causante externo principal de este proceso es la acción antrópica, expresada en la presión y competencia por el uso del recurso hídrico entre actores con desiguales relaciones de poder: centrales hidroeléctricas, pequeños-medianos agricultores, habitantes del sector y empresarios del turismo.

Land Cover–Land Use Changes (LULCC) and landscape fragmentation have been a common research topic for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) scientists since the middle of the 20th century; particularly, they have helped to make accessible the spatial characteristics of land management through time. We researched LULCC and landscape fragmentation in Arauco Province in Chile using satellite image analysis (1976–2016) and FRAGSTAT software. This area is in a constant struggle for land use between agroindustry, urban sprawl, and the expansion of exotic plantations (pine-eucalyptus) subsidized by Chilean government. The main results are: (1) we obtained the surface percentages for each land cover , (2) net changes for each cover by adding and losing surface (ha), (3) the transition map that enlightens the surface transformations of LULCC by its four processes substitution, abandonment, habilitation, regeneration and degradation, (4) the native forest loss in the first half of the period (1976–2001) was 1.85%/year, meanwhile for the second half (2001–2016) it was 6.5%/year, (5) landscape fragmentation processes occurred in patches and deforestation is its main driver, (6) aggregation changed the landscape since fragmentation and deforestation processes started the substitution of native forest, and (7) the habilitation of agricultural lands and degradation of wooded masses with exotic species increased their aggregation to 90%.

Over the last few decades, the Chilean Government has constantly promoted the construction of private highways in order to increase the effectiveness in terms of transportation of goods and people all along the country. In this way, heavy road infrastructures, landscape fragmentation, loss of endangered animals’ habitat, loss of visual quality, and a decrease of biodiversity patches have emerged. Despite this, some greenery – native and introduced flora/fauna, natural elements, colors, lines, patterns, among others- can be partly seen in certain areas of Chilean highways. In particular, this paper focuses on the main route connecting Puerto Montt and Pargua cities in Los Lagos region.The objectives of this qualitative research are threefold. Firstly, to measure main Landscape attributes and Visual scale characteristics through a fieldwork by the roadside of Pargua highway (Alto Bonito Area) using a scale of attributes adapted from Tveit et al. (2007). Secondly, to measure the type of vegetation through an environmental inventory (phytosociological analysis). Thirdly, to measure the degree of management of the highway considering its maintenance and human intervention.Wilderness and Naturalness are scarcely observed on the roadside due to a concentrated presence of human interventions such as landfills and overpasses. The visual scale is checked in fieldwork from several scopes. On the southeast side of the road, Las Canchas Area is covered by high trees, houses, and industries which hinder the view of the natural surrounding landscape. On the right side of the road, it presents a clear skyline of Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes. Finally, any management of high quality of the visual scenery of this type of landscape from the route concessionaire is is randomly done. However, the vegetation surface itself has been working out a way to protect the land from erosion and desertification.

Existen dinámicas urbanas favorecidas por un modelo de desarrollo urbano centrado en el mercado, que han presionado en las últimas décadas los ecosistemas naturales de las áreas metropolitanas de Chile, degradando estos comunes urbanos y generando conflictos ambientales. Estudiamos el caso de la cuenca del estero Boca Maule al sur del Área Metropolitana de Concepción (AMC), ciudad de Coronel, la cual presenta patrones de urbanización acelerados a partir de la década de los 90. Esta cuenca alberga un humedal de alto interés ecológico, tanto por su extensión, biodiversidad como por su fragilidad ambiental. Aquí evaluamos los cambios de coberturas de suelo entre 2001 y 2016, mediante clasificación supervisada de imágenes satelitales. Constatamos la reducción de la superficie del humedal, que ha sido reemplazada por urbanización residencial, industrial e infraestructura vial, así como por plantaciones exóticas. Estos procesos desencadenan una agresiva competencia a través del tiempo por los usos entre dos coberturas que producen un efecto de cercamiento (enclosure) entre sí: Humedal-Suelo Urbano y Humedal- Forestal. Palabras clave: coberturas de suelo; humedales; comunes urbanos; expansión urbana; Chile.

The constructed infrastructure that has made cities more livable to their human inhabitants not always has benefited the overall ecosystems, which has leading to some fragile land covers being the most affected (i.e., grasslands, wetlands, etc.). In this article, it is analyzed the relationship between the natural landscape and the highway “Ruta del Canal Pargua” in Puerto Montt, Chile. A comparison was performed/implemented based on a Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) analysis from a year before the construction of the highway (2012) to the most updated available image (2021). Three field spots were selected to observe the wetland’s landscape visual qualities, landscape natural features, and road management (2022). The results showed that anthropic interventions have been continuing to transform the natural features of wetland’s landscape, especially the native roadside vegetation, and noise pollution.This change was promoted by the lack of management of the highway inits surroundings, and, by the intrusive LULCC. This paper also discussesthe persistent lack of ecological management for highways in southernChile and sparks the conversation about the necessity to include anecological perspective in road infrastructure design in Chile that couldbe replicated in Latin America.