Biomes / Ecosystems of Chile

South America's Arid Diagonal is a vast belt of arid and semi-arid ecosystems extending from coastal Peru to southeastern Argentina and northeastern Brazil. The region encompasses diverse desert systems, including the hyperarid Atacama, the ENSO-influenced Sechura, the biodiverse Monte, the wind-swept Patagonian Desert, and the high-altitude Puna. Despite extreme aridity, the diagonal harbors remarkable biodiversity with high endemism levels, particularly in transition zones, though it faces conservation challenges from overgrazing, mining, agricultural expansion, and climate change.

The Humboldt Current, also known as the Peru Current, stands as one of Earth's most significant oceanic systems and a cornerstone of marine productivity in the eastern South Pacific. This remarkable cold-water current creates a distinct marine environment characterized by nutrient-rich waters and extraordinary biodiversity that supports some of the world's most productive fishing grounds. This oceanic giant flows northward from Antarctic waters along South America's west coast. Its influence extends beyond marine life, shaping regional climate, supporting millions of seabirds, and sustaining global fishing industries.