Current Status

This region has been moderately affected by roads and mining operations. The area that has been most affected is the Northern region of the Atacama because of overgrazing of domestic livestock and the commercial gathering of rare plants including the Chilean wine palm and various cacti. Most of the threats to the eco region are closely associated with the few human population centers including the port towns of Iquique, Caldera, and Antofagasta. These areas have done their tole on the land by urbanization, pollution, road construction, livestock grazing (in particular goats), and erosion. Since the regions wealth lies in the mineral resources, recent increased activity in the mining industry in the area has increased foot traffic and therefore magnified these activities effecting the region.

This is a picture of Antofagasta, one of the port towns that have recently blown up.