The Rector of USerena, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, stressed that from the institution “we contribute to the formation of advanced human capital that the country requires for the conservation of its natural capital,” through doctorates in Applied Biology and Ecology, and in Biological Sciences mention Ecology of Arid Zones; and the Master's program in Arid Zone Ecology, all accredited for 5 years.

The Center for Public Studies and the Ecology and Biodiversity Institute, IEB (chaired by the ULS academic and researcher, Dr. Francisco Squeo), presented the report called “30 urgent measures for the conservation of biodiversity” at the University of La Serena. that seeks to contribute to the conservation of our natural heritage, delivering 30 public policy proposals that are grouped into eight strategic objectives and that allow us to meet five key goals committed by Chile by 2030.

Among the results discussed by the speaker Eduardo Katz, CEP researcher, is the categorization of threats to biodiversity, such as climate change or invasive species; the number of threatened terrestrial ecosystems and species, being 49,6% and 62% respectively. Also, it was announced that “the percentage of the protected land surface would be around 23,3%, considering private and state initiatives. And in the COP15 on Biodiversity, it is established to protect 30% of the surface by 2023. This implies expanding the protected surface by at least six million hectares,” he assured.

This event is also part of a close relationship between ULS researchers and the institutions that collect this information. In this regard, the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, highlighted that “the study of the different dimensions of the ecology of arid zones continues to be one of the strengths of our institution, with two doctoral programs: the Doctorate in Biology and Applied Ecology, and the Doctorate in Biological Sciences with a mention in Ecology of Arid Zones - and a Master's program in Ecology of Arid Zones, all accredited for 5 years, from where we contribute to the formation of the advanced human capital that the country requires to the conservation of its natural capital.”

The event brought together officials from the Seremi de Medio Ambiente, the Municipality of Coquimbo, the CEAZA scientific center, ULS academics and researchers, the councilor of La Serena, Daniela Norambuena, and the mayor of Paihuano, Hernán Ahumada, who intervened in a panel where the challenges of the implementation of law 21.600 that creates the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service were addressed.

During the day, participants were able to obtain the report in printed form and interact in a multidisciplinary debate to discuss the diagnoses, data and challenges that this work presents.

Chile is among the 10 countries in the world that invests the least in conservation, which is why the presence of the private and public world in this report provides the highlight and a comprehensive view that is required in the face of the problem of protecting biodiversity in our country. country, where the lack of progress in legal and social issues stands out, to raise awareness about the richness of our natural heritage.

Read the report here