) | Location: situated in the cordilleran region of Chubut, over the international limit with Chile. Surface: It has a 263.000 hectares surface. Created: It was created in 1937 in order to protect “lahuan” and “alerce” forest, a typical exponent of andino-patagonica flora. Vegetation: Alerce, maitén, cipres de la cordillera, coihues, maniues, mutisias flowers, chilcos flowers. Animals: Huemul, puma, hualas, macacitospudú, paloma araucana, huiña cat, chucao, carpintero negro patagónico, otorra austral, zorzal patagónico. |
Characteristics: PN Los Alerces (Los Alerces National Park) has the most populated “alerces” forest of the country. The “alerce” is a millenary tree, one of the oldest of the world. Grows 1 mm a year and belong to the “Pinacea” family. The different ambient of this protected area could be classified in two eco-regions: Patagonic Forest and the High Andes. In the area there is a complex lake's system with a lot of rivers, streams and water mirrors. The most important are Menendez, Rivadavia, Futalaufquen and Krüger lakes, and the Frey rivers, which ended in Futaleufú hydroelectric repress. Resembling the giant sequoia of California's Sierra Nevada, the alerce or Patagonian Cypress flourishes in the humid temperate forests of southern Argentina and Chile. Individual specimens of this strikingly beautiful and long lived tree (one specimen may be more than 4000 years old) can measure over 4m in diameter and exceed 60m in height. Like the giant sequoia, it has suffered over exploitation because of its valuable timber. West of Esquel, this 263,000 hectare unit protects some of the largest remaining alerce forests. Crystal clear lakes and mountains with lush vegetation frame the beauty of a place that dedicated to conserve natural beauties. | ) ) |
