The Awakening of the Atacama Desert
A true flower blanket, this is what happens when the exact amount of rainfall and temperature are combined to awaken the seeds that have laid dormant for years. A phenomenon that generates a complete ecosystem of insects, reptiles and birds that need to be preserved and protected, but that also makes us forget that we are in Atacama: the driest desert in the world.
photo_camera The desert bloom is a phenomenon associated with rainfall events, especially in "El Niño" years, when temperatures are warmer. Although it occurs more frequently in the area of Copiapó, Huasco and Caldera, in the Atacama region, it can also be seen in certain locations in the Antofagasta region, with less frequency but greater diversity and endemic species. (Photo: Desert bloom in the Atacama region/Nicole Saffie)
Fifteen millimeters, which is the approximate minimum amount of water required by the dormant endemic seeds of the Atacama Desert to bloom. They also need warmer temperatures and precise lighting conditions.
When the conditions are perfect, the driest desert in the world is transformed into a real garden.
As explained by María Fernanda Pérez, professor at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, “The flowering desert is a phenomenon associated with rainfall events. There is a plant biomass increase, which is especially due to herbaceous plants.” The more water that falls, the more diverse and extensive the desert blooms are. “Like the one in 2017, which was spectacular; 50 mm of rain fell,” she added.
“This blooming coincides with El Niño currents, when temperatures are warmer, resulting in greater evaporation and, therefore, increased rainfall. But not with the Niña current, which is colder," added Ana María Mujica, a professor at the Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering.
"Over the past 40 years, about fifteen events have taken place. This happens in the area of Copiapó and Huasco, in the third region of Atacama, but there are other very important areas in terms of diversity and endemic species, such as Paposo, in Antofagasta, and near Iquique. Here rainfall is lower and much less frequent. From a botanical point of view, these areas have high degrees of endemism—that is, there are species that are only found here—so they are very, very relevant."
This year, rainfall was around 10 mm in the Copiapó area. Even though it was scarce, it made the flowering desert possible, but locally, especially inland and in the vicinity of Caldera. Anyway, it is impressive.
On the Flower Route
I travel along Route 5 North, on the stretch that goes from Copiapó to Vallenar. I can only see dry plains and hills, without even a cactus in sight, just land and a deep blue sky without any clouds. Most of the vehicles on the highway are from the mining industry, the region's economic activity par excellence.
Suddenly, almost at the C-35 junction that leads to the town of Nantoco, the landscape begins to take on a slightly lilac hue until the color becomes an intense fuchsia thanks to a real blanket of rock purslanes (Cistanthe grandiflora) that covers the entire plain and the hills, as far as the eye can see.
As I get closer, dots of different colors appear: yellow and orange añañucas (Zephyranthes bagnoldi), suspiros de campo blanco (Nolana baccata), suspiros (Nolana carnosa and Nolana acuminata), malvillas (Cristaria sp.) and coronilla del fraile (Encelia canescens), among others. (Check out the "Expressions of the Flowering Desert” Guide (in Spanish))
As Ana María Mujica, who has been studying desert plants over 30 years, explained, they all have a common characteristic. They are herbaceous—or grasses, species that grow from a seed, have stems, leaves and flowers—and are classified as annual plants, that is to say, in the span of a year (generally 3 to 6 months) they germinate, flower, bear fruit and die, leaving the seeds for the next generation.
These seeds are composed of an embryo, which is nourished by starch and covered externally by a very hard and almost impenetrable testa or coat. "This allows the seeds to spend 5, 7 or even 10 years in a latent or dormant state," said the professor.
There are other species, such as herbaceous biennials - which develop their entire life cycle in a period of two years - and bulbs, rhizomes and corms, which are underground nutrient storage organs, such as lilies.
The variety is huge. The flowering desert is composed of 1,893 plant species, of which 32% are endemic to this part of South America and 58% are endemic to Chile (according to a study by the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Científico, 2017). Furthermore, it is believed that there are still many that have not been discovered.
In Search of Cacti
Cacti are typical in this area and the Copiapoa is the star of the region without a doubt. A genus of cacti native to the dry desert coast of northern Chile, comprising about 26 species. Although they vary in shape, they are characterized by being rather spherical. Their color ranges from brown to blue-green. (Check out the “Cactaceae Native to Chile” Field Guide (in Spanish))
The Llanos de Challe National Park, on the Atacama coast, is a true refuge of the Copiapoa de Carrizal (Copiapoa dealbata). It grows like a real cushion, reaching up to 1 meter high and 2 meters wide. They are covered by a whitish wax that protects them from dehydration and their yellow flowers emerge like a miracle amidst a network of thorns that protect them and prevent evaporation.
Unfortunately, its conservation status is vulnerable, due to its extremely restricted geographic distribution and declining reproduction (Check out the “Threatened Flora of the Atacama Region and Strategies for its Conservation” Guide (in Spanish)). In addition, there is also illegal trafficking of cacti. Copiapoa is a highly desirable species in European and Asian markets, where a plant can be sold for 500 to 1,500 dollars.
Vulnerable Ecosystem
The flowering desert is a very particular ecosystem. According to Ana María Mujica: “It is an ephemeral flowering, very short-lived, around which arises a large number of species: birds, insects, reptiles, rodents. It's all related.”
In fact, "The diversity of insects is spectacular, there are some species that are only found in the flowering desert", said María Fernanda Pérez. "All it takes is a little water to awaken a complete life system.”
Many of these species play an important role in pollination, transferring pollen from one part of a flower to another or to other flowers, a process essential for maintaining the viability and genetic diversity of plants, as well as improving seed quality and quantity. They also move seeds from one place to another, expanding the geographical location of the species.
Given its particular characteristics, the flowering desert is a fragile ecosystem. Pulling up a plant or extracting seeds can cause them to disappear forever. The same applies to the use of motorcycles and vehicles that travel off the trails and into the flowered hills. Other factors include soil erosion, mining and industrial activities, livestock and climate change, among others.
Both scientists emphasized the importance of education.
“In my opinion, first, people need to know the flowering desert; second, we need to educate -especially the new generations-, then we have to preserve and finally, take conservation measures, for example, laboratories and gardens, to conserve and reproduce seeds so that the species continue to exist.”
"I think if people knew that a bulb could be fifteen to twenty years old, they wouldn't take it out. The same with cacti. In addition to learning what these species mean to the ecosystem," said María Fernanda Pérez.
“We have to revalue our natural history.”
Check out this video of the Flowering Desert recorded with a drone.
(Video and photography: Francisco Gamboa)
