Article
Ecology
Cecilia Bessega, Carolina Pometti, Renee Fortunato, Francisca Greene, Calogero M. Santoro, Virginia McRostie
Summary: In the Atacama Desert, Prosopis individuals in isolated oases exhibit high levels of genetic diversity and significant, though low, genetic differentiation among populations. Genetic patterns are associated with dispersal barriers, showing a correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Despite this correlation, genetic structure is not directly related to the basins, suggesting other factors may influence the dispersal of Prosopis in the fragmented landscape.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Guillermo Blanco, Pedro Romero-Vidal, Martina Carrete, Daniel Chamorro, Carolina Bravo, Fernando Hiraldo, Jose L. Tella
Summary: The study highlights the important role of burrowing parrots as seed dispersers in the Monte Desert, Argentina. They have a high abundance and are crucial in spreading seeds by preying on them and dispersing them around plants. Their nomadic movements and long flights lead to the dispersal of large amounts of seeds across large areas, suggesting they play a unique and significant role in the ecosystem.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose M. Capriles, Calogero M. Santoro, Richard J. George, Eliana Flores Bedregal, Douglas J. Kennett, Logan Kistler, Francisco Rothhammer
Summary: Recent archaeological findings in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile reveal that oasis communities acquired scarlet macaws and other parrot species through extensive exchange networks during the Late Intermediate Period. Isotopic analysis shows that these birds were sustained on maize-based diets enriched with marine bird guano fertilizers. The captive rearing of these colorful birds served as a clear signal of wealth in a context of emerging intercommunity competition.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Camila Salazar-Ardiles, Alexander Perez-Arancibia, Leyla Asserella-Rebollo, Benito Gomez-Silva
Summary: Significant knowledge has been gained about the microbiome in the hyperarid Atacama Desert, but information on the Atacama free-living amoebae (FLA) is limited and more efforts are needed. The dominant presence of Acanthamoeba genus has been reported in water and sediment samples from the Loa and Salado rivers in northern Chile, indicating the need for further exploration of Atacama amoebae in other wetlands in the region.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo A. Otero
Summary: This contribution presents novel records of ray-finned fishes from the Oxfordian of Cerritos Bayos, northern Chile, including new diversity of Pachycormiformes and the first Upper Jurassic local record of a Lepisosteidae. These new records expand the known actinopterygian diversity from the Upper Jurassic of southeastern Panthalassa.
Article
Geology
Jhonatan Alarcon-Munoz, Laura Codorniu, Edwin Gonzalez, Mario E. Suarez, Manuel Suarez, Omar Vicencio-Campos, Sergio Soto-Acuna, Jonatan Kaluza, David Rubilar-Rogers, Alexander O. Vargas
Summary: We have discovered ctenochasmatid pterosaurs fossils in Cerro Tormento, Cerros Bravos, Northern Chile. The fossils include cervical vertebrae, scapula, humerus, femur, and tibiotarsus impressions. These findings suggest that Ctenochasmatidae was widespread in northern Chile and Cerro Tormento may have been a pterosaur colony.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Francisco J. Montero, Ramesh Kumar, Ravita Lamba, Rodrigo A. Escobar, Manish Vashishtha, Sushant Upadhyaya, Amador M. Guzman
Summary: The economic feasibility of HPV-TEG systems in desert areas, specifically the Atacama Desert in Chile, was analyzed. The results showed that under current market costs and efficiency, the HPV-TEG system is not economically competitive with photovoltaic systems in the Atacama Desert environment. However, the calculated levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for the HPV-TEG system is close to current LCOEs for PV systems in Chilean energy market, indicating the potential for competitiveness in desert locations.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Felix L. Arens, Alessandro Airo, Jenny Feige, Christof Sager, Uwe Wiechert, Dirk Schulze-Makuch
Summary: The study in the Atacama Desert in Chile investigated mineralogy, salt abundance, and sulfate stable isotopic composition in four soil profiles. It was found that sulfates are the dominant salts with a transition from gypsum to anhydrite observed in all profiles. This transition is accompanied by an increase of highly soluble salts and a decrease of sulfate delta S-34 and delta O-18 values.
Article
Ecology
Jose M. Capriles, Magdalena Garcia, Daniela Valenzuela, Alejandra I. I. Domic, Logan Kistler, Francisco Rothhammer, Calogero M. M. Santoro
Summary: This article reviews the transregional circulation and introduction of five food tropical crops originating from the eastern Andes to the hyper-arid coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. With the support of various analyses, the study examines the adaptation of these crops to the extremely dry soil and their impact on the social way of life.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Paula C. Ugalde, Virginia McRostie, Eugenia M. Gayo, Magdalena Garcia, Claudio Latorre, Calogero M. Santoro
Summary: The study summarizes all available archaeobotanical evidence from the Atacama Desert and explores how humans adapted to and transformed this hyperarid landscape, with plants playing a key role in their success. This long-term process, termed the Green Revolution, coincided with an exponential increase in the number of social groups inhabiting the Atacama Desert during the Late Holocene.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Matias Calderon-Seguel, Manuel Prieto, Oliver Meseguer-Ruiz, Freddy Vinales, Paulina Hidalgo, Elias Esper
Summary: Latin American rural territories have undergone significant transformations since the mid-twentieth century, mainly due to the expansion of large-scale operations exploiting natural resources and low processing levels for world export. Mining and urban growth have promoted certain agricultural and livestock activities under specific economic and political conditions, while also leading to increased urbanization of rural land and growing deagrarianization in other contexts.
Article
Plant Sciences
David Castro, Christopher Concha, Fabiola Jamett, Cristian Ibanez, Vaughan Hurry
Summary: This study investigated the establishment and growth potential of two Prosopis species in different soils and the role of root-colonizing microbiome in this process. The results suggested that soil properties and microbial communities play potential roles in mediating the establishment success of Prosopis in different soils.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joseph A. M. Holtum, Lillian P. Hancock, Erika J. Edwards, Klaus Winter
Summary: In the Atacama desert, plants of the Cistanthe genus exhibit features of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) during episodic blooms, with CAM expression being facultative in some species and largely constitutive in others. This water-use efficient mechanism of dark carbon uptake increases carbon pools available for seed production or dormancy, especially important in the arid, stochastic rainfall landscape of the desert where the next rain event may be years away. Additionally, evidence from field-collected Cistanthe species suggests a contribution of CAM to their carbon pools.
FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Armando Azua-Bustos, Carlos Gonzalez-Silva, Alberto G. Fairen
Summary: The Atacama Desert, as the driest and oldest desert on Earth, has been extensively studied as a Mars analog model for nearly 20 years. The research conducted in the Atacama has provided insights into how life adapts to extreme conditions and the potential habitats for life on Mars. Furthermore, the desert is actively used as a testing ground for technologies aimed at exploring Mars.
FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yunha Hwang, Janina Rahlff, Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Michael Schloter, Alexander J. Probst
Summary: Viruses in Atacama Desert soils play essential roles in host-virus interactions, spreading stress resilience and metabolic genes to ensure host survival; the virus-host interactions are dynamic and complex, shaping uniquely adapted microbiomes in this highly selective and hostile environment.
Article
Archaeology
Sandra Rebolledo, Philippe Bearez, Debora Zurro, Calogero M. Santoro, Claudio Latorre
Summary: Recovery methods and techniques for archaeological sampling can have significant impacts on the abundance and classification of animal remains. This study compares two ichthyoarchaeological assemblages from a shell midden site in northern Chile, and finds that different recovery techniques affect the abundance and representation of fish species. Furthermore, the identification of small pelagic fish provides insights into prehistoric fishing strategies and social organization during the early occupation of the site.
ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sergio Contreras, Manlio Landahur, Karla Garcia, Claudio Latorre, Mark Reyers, Janet Rethemeyer, Andrea Jaeschke
Summary: This study investigates the lipid biomarker composition of Tillandsia plants in the hyperarid Atacama Desert and reveals their structural adaptations at the molecular level to extremely arid conditions. The findings show that the leaf wax composition is dominated by n-alkanes, which help prevent water loss. Significant differences in leaf wax distribution were found among different zones along the coastal transect. The study suggests that n-alkanes and fatty acids can serve as ideal tracers for studying climate change in the Atacama Desert.
PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Matthias Troch, Sebastien Bertrand, Carina B. Lange, Paola Cardenas, Helge Arz, Silvio Pantoja-Gutierrez, Ricardo De Pol-Holz, Rolf Kilian
Summary: Our research investigates glacial isostatic rebound in Patagonia and its impact on past ice volume estimates and relative sea-level variations. We focus on the Larenas Bay and reconstruct the magnitude and rate of glacial isostatic adjustment during the Late Glacial and Holocene. Results show that the postglacial rebound started before 16.5 kyr BP and outpaced global sea-level rise until slightly before 9.1 kyr BP, with an absolute uplift of 96 m and an average rate of 1.3 cm/yr during the Late Glacial and early Holocene. Comparisons with global sea-level rise and glacier dynamics suggest fluctuations in glacial isostatic adjustment rate.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Quan Hua, Jocelyn C. Turnbull, Guaciara M. Santos, Andrzej Z. Rakowski, Santiago Ancapichun, Ricardo De Pol-Holz, Samuel Hammer, Scott J. Lehman, Ingeborg Levin, John B. Miller, Jonathan G. Palmer, Chris S. M. Turney
Summary: This paper presents a compilation of atmospheric radiocarbon for the period 1950-2019, including zonal, hemispheric, and global radiocarbon datasets, with smooth curves more suitable for dating applications, aiming to facilitate the use of atmospheric bomb C-14 in carbon cycle studies and meet the increasing demand for accurate dating of recent terrestrial samples.
Editorial Material
Geology
Pierrick Roperch, Jerome Gattacceca, Millarca Valenzuela, Bertrand Devouard, Jean-Pierre Lorand, Pierre Rochette, Claudio Latorre, Pierre Beck
Article
Geography, Physical
Sergio A. Estay, Daniela N. Lopez, Carmen P. Silva, Eugenia M. Gayo, Virginia McRostie, Mauricio Lima
Summary: This study estimated the historical population size of the Kawesqar people using direct and indirect evidence. The results indicate a population range of approximately 3700 to 3900 individuals before the massive contact with Chileans and European people.
Article
Plant Sciences
Thomas Dussarrat, Sylvain Prigent, Claudio Latorre, Stephane Bernillon, Amelie Flandin, Francisca P. Diaz, Cedric Cassan, Pierre Van Delft, Daniel Jacob, Kranthi Varala, Jerome Joubes, Yves Gibon, Dominique Rolin, Rodrigo A. Gutierrez, Pierre Petriacq
Summary: By studying the metabolome of 24 plant species in the Atacama Desert, it was found that these plants adapt to extreme environments through common metabolites, which can predict the plant's environment. These findings are of great significance for improving crop yields under harsh conditions.
Article
Geography, Physical
Martina Gajardo-Rojas, Ariel A. Munoz, Jonathan Barichivich, Karin Klock-Barria, Eugenia M. Gayo, Francisco E. Fonturbel, Matias Olea, Christine M. Lucas, Camilo Veas
Summary: This study evaluated the historical changes in honey production in the Mediterranean and Temperate regions of Chile and investigated the effects of climate change on honey production and adaptation measures. The results showed a decline in honey production and exports, with beekeepers experiencing the impacts of drought and implementing adaptive strategies.
PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY-EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugenia M. Gayo, Ariel A. Munoz, Antonio Maldonado, Celine Lavergne, Jean Pierre Francois, Delia Rodriguez, Karin Klock-Barria, Paul R. Sheppard, Isabella Aguilera-Betti, Carlos Alonso-Hernandez, Marcelo Mena-Carrasco, Anahi Urquiza, Laura Gallardo
Summary: The Anthropocene is an imbalanced phenomenon driven by the production and consumption of wealthy economies, resulting in social, environmental, and health costs for low-income communities. The interaction between socio-economic and governance processes perpetuates socio-environmental inequalities in these areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicolas C. Zanetta-Colombo, Zoe L. Fleming, Eugenia M. Gayo, Carlos A. Manzano, Marios Panagi, Jorge Valdes, Alexander Siegmund
Summary: Indigenous communities in northern Chile have been exposed to toxic metals from copper production in the region, with limited studies and accessibility of results. This study characterizes metal concentrations in dust from houses and highlights the potential health risks faced by the inhabitants. The findings emphasize the need for actions to mitigate mining effects in response to the increasing international demand for raw materials.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Virginia McRostie, Pilar Babot, Elisa Calas, Eugenia Gayo, Francisco Gallardo, Carolina Godoy-Aguirre, Rafael Labarca, Claudio Latorre, Lautaro Nunez, Karla Ojeda, Calogero M. Santoro, Daniela Valenzuela
Summary: During the Formative period in the Late-Holocene, human settlements emerged in the oases, salares, and riverine systems in the Atacama Desert. Through the practice of lowland husbandry, camelids played a role in foraging for Prosopis, but may not have been the primary vectors for the spread and germination of algarrobos.
Article
Water Resources
John Houston, Claudio Latorre
Summary: The non-stationary nature of the Andean Dry Diagonal (ADD) and the varying 'flavours' of El Nino phenomenon associated with it may explain the contradictory interpretations in reconstructing past climates of the Atacama Desert. The ADD's position is not stable over seasonal and longer periods, leading to potential displacement, intensification or weakening of climates in the region. Understanding the spatial distinctiveness of El Nino and its association with the mobile ADD could provide a more sophisticated approach to paleoclimate research and resolve some difficulties.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Guaciara M. Santos, Anita S. Y. Komatsu, Jazmine M. Renteria, Arno F. N. Brandes, Christopher A. Leong, Silvana Collado-Fabbri, Ricardo De Pol-Holz
Summary: In order to expand our capabilities for tree-ring 14C measurements, we designed a versatile procedure to produce high-quality alpha-cellulose extracts. The procedure is scalable and can be modified based on sample requirements. It can extract chipped wood to alpha-cellulose fibers in one to three days for further 14C analysis. The procedure was tested on over 110 wood samples and produced reliable results.
QUATERNARY GEOCHRONOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Matias Frugone-Alvarez, Sergio Contreras, Oliver Meseguer-Ruiz, Eduardo Tejos, Antonio Delgado-Huertas, Blas Valero-Garces, Francisca P. Diaz, Matias Briceno, Manuel Bustos-Morales, Claudio Latorre
Summary: This study investigates the adaptation of plant communities in Atacama Desert to extreme climatic conditions through the analysis of leaf wax content and composition. The results reveal a species-specific chemotaxonomy linked to climatic conditions and demonstrate that leaf wax content obtained from ancient rodent middens can serve as a reliable hydroclimate proxy for the region.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)