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Call for Papers for open call N° 69 of Revista de Investigaciones Geográficas: Una mirada desde el sur.

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Spatial changes and effects produced by the forestal industry on the embededness of the local communities in the Itata Basin, Central Chile

Authors

  • Hugo Romero Departamento de Geografía, Universidad de Chile
  • Carlos Fuentes Escuela de Geografía, Universidad de Chile
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Abstract

Based on a Complex Dynamic model, land uses and social changes are analyzed in four local communities that are located at increasing distances from Nueva Aldea Forestry and Industrial Complex, a large investment devoted to process timber, paper and cellulose, a controversial project that has been recently
located in Itata River, Biobio Region. Diminishing population, loss of cultivated areas and woodlands substitution, are assessed using census data, air photographs and satellite images, in a geographical information system. Social and environmental degradation could be considered as a long term trend
while forest plantations and the improvement of accessibility could be assessed like the most relevant environmental impacts New expectations and development alternatives, like rural tourism and special interest tourism should be included in integrated, synergetic and strategic public and private plans. Speeches of the main social actors are presented, emphasizing contradictions which complicate the territorial sustainability of large projects in Chile.

Keywords:

dynarnic complex , local forestry development