Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 77 (4): 661-677, 2004
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental effects of the spanish colonization from de Maullín river to the Chiloé
archipelago, southern Chile
The biogeographical characteristics of Chiloé limited the introduction and propagation of
exotic plants and animals that supported the subsistence and economy of Spanish colonies. This in turn limited the rate of occupation
and the scarce economic return of land reduced the extent and severity of environmental disturbances produced during the
colonisation period. The present investigation analysed historic documentation from XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries in order to
characterise pre-Hispanic environmental conditions and the environmental problems created by the colonist settlement. The adaptation
of land-use practices to the region and the evolution of agricultural and forestry bring it by the colonists are described. The principal
finding of this research indicates that the environmental impacts generated by the early Spanish settlement were primarily at a local
level, which meant that the ecological landscape of Chiloé during the XVIII century retained several of its pristine
characteristics.
Key words:
environmental
disturbances, landscape ecology, species introduction, Spanish settlement, Chiloé, southern Chile
