Protected Areas in South America

The Central Atlantic Forest Ecological Corridor (CAFEC) is one of Brazil's most ambitious and important conservation efforts. This ecological corridor acts as a crucial link, connecting fragmented pieces of the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), one of the world's most biodiverse and threatened biomes. Extending across the states of Espírito Santo and Bahia, it creates a network of protected areas that preserves unique biodiversity while enhancing ecosystem connectivity.

Chile's national park system is one of the most extensive and well-managed in the world and a testament to its unwavering commitment to preserving its remarkable natural heritage. Chile's protected areas provide refuge for diverse ecosystems and abundant biodiversity. Administered by the National Forest Corporation (CONAF), this system is dedicated to conserving and managing the nation's natural treasures, with a crown jewel being the famous Route of Parks of Patagonia.

For over five decades, Chile's National Forest Corporation—known as CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal)—has stood as the principal guardian of the nation's forests, protected areas, and natural heritage. It manages South America's extensive protected system and faces severe wildfire threats due to climate change. In 2025, it transformed from a private corporation to a fully public agency—the National Forestry Service (Sernafor)—marking a new conservation chapter.

High-altitude connectivity corridors, connecting the Andes Mountains to the Amazon Rainforest, serve as vital wildlife routes that link snow-covered peaks to the humid rainforests. Key corridors safeguard important migration paths for spectacled bears, mountain tapirs, jaguars, and hundreds of bird species. These corridors facilitate the movement of wildlife, genetic exchange, and climate adaptation, while also providing essential ecosystem services. Threatened by roads, agriculture, and climate change, protecting these corridors is crucial for South America's biodiversity.