Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 82 (1): 73-82, 2009
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Landscape structure along urban-rural gradients: Aisén river watershed (Aisén region,
Chile)
Changes in landscape structure are generally associated to physical, biological and
social factors. However, their integrated analysis is rarely done. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution patterns of
native vegetation patches and the level of human intervention within the Aisén watershed. The main aim was to establish if the position
within urban-rural gradients have some relation with the above patterns. Vegetation units were analyzed in multiple directions
considering the city of Coihaique as the main urban center. Results show that the proximity to the city is not correlated with the
decrease of areas covered by native vegetation, as well as with a greater level of intervention. However, we found a negative correlation
between the level of intervention and the mean patch size. Furthermore, the distribution of land use/land cover patches is strongly
influenced by the slope. On the other hand, considering the local socioeconomic context and the currents policies about the use of the
territory and its management, it is not possible to use the urban-rural gradient concept as a paradigm that may serve as unique to
study the structure of the landscape as proposed by other authors.
Key words:
urban-rural gradient,
landscape structure, intervention level, Hemeroby Index, Aisén watershed
