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This study utilized the Random Forest (RF) algorithm to assess groundwater potential (GWP) in the mid-mountain region of the Coquimbo region, north-central Chile. A comprehensive evaluation of twenty-one factors, primarily derived from Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and satellite data, was conducted against a database of 3822 groundwater discharge points. The majority of them consisted of shallow wells with relatively low yields. The main objective was to develop a groundwater potential (GWP) map for the study area. Among the factors considered, six variables, including two anthropogenic factors (distance to roads and presence of agricultural communities) and four natural factors (slope, elevation, concavity, and ruggedness index), were identified as the most influential indicators of GWP. The RF approach demonstrated excellent performance, achieving an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.95, sensitivity of 0.88, specificity of 0.86, and kappa coefficient of 0.74 in the test set. The majority of the study area exhibited low GWP, while only 14% of the area demonstrated high or very high GWP. In addition to providing valuable guidance for future hydrogeological investigations in the region, the GWP map serves as a valuable tool for identifying the areas that are most vulnerable to water shortages. This is particularly significant, as the region has been severely affected by extended drought, making water supply a critical concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of juvenile Branchiostoma elongatum captured in plankton samples from the northcentral coast of Chile during February-March of consecutive years (2013-2020) is described. Its low abundance showed interannual variation as well as its frequency of occurrence. Its geographical distribution was preferably coastal. It covered the entire sampling area (1-20 nm from the coast) longitudinally, and specimens were captured between the extreme north of the sampling area and 30°20'S. The lowest abundances were found in years of negative thermal anomalies (2017-2018) and the highest mainly in neutral conditions (2013-2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of Blepharipoda spinosa and Lepidopa chilensis were collected from Chile's northcentral coast (Paposo 25.0°S and Oscuro Port 31.5°S) in each February of 2013-2017. Larvae were separated by their development stage. Their abundance, occurrence, and distribution concerning its proximity to the coast were analyzed. Larval abundance and frequency of occurrence were low in both species. Zoea I dominated the highest concentrations detected in coastal stations and near the study area's longest sandy beaches. Interannual variation of larvae was seen in the abundance and composition by development stages. The highest abundance of B. spinosa larvae was found in February 2016, while L. chilensis larvae had the highest abundance in February 2014. Their presence and development stages in the wide sampling area provide information on both species' distribution and reproductive activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the site context of a late Holocene shell midden on the coast of Los Vilos in north-central Chile (31°51′ S, South America) to better understand the spatial organization of short-term, small-sized hunter-gatherer campsites. The Dunas de Agua Amarilla (LV 007) site comprises 14 separate surf clam refuse deposits. Extensive stratigraphic excavations of the shell middens and the areas free of residue allowed interpretation of potential activity areas bounded by hearths, the shell middens, and a possible dwelling space. Late Holocene campsites in the area correspond to brief occupational events framed within littoral residential mobility, in which predictable coastal resources became a staple for groups residing and circulating over long periods in the area. Data on shell midden composition and the spatial distribution of site features shed light on the organizational dynamics of dwelling and activity spaces of coastal hunter-gatherers of the South Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the north-central Chilean coast (25.5-31.5ºS), zooplankton samples were analyzed in 100 oceanographic stations from six oceanographic cruises made in February of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. Engraulis ringens eggs were separated and counted, thus providing data on distribution, abundance, interannual variation, and relationships with ocean surface temperature and chlorophyll-a. The egg distribution was preferentially coastal, with maximum concentrations at stations next to Esmeralda Cove (26ºS) and Chañaral Cove (29ºS). In this time series, which includes cold and warm periods, it was established the relationship of these biological variables with defined ranges of temperature (16,1º-18,0ºC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1989, I have been involved in a longterm ecological study in the semiarid zone of north-central Chile. To date it has uncovered many exciting aspects of the structure and functioning of the unusual biota here. However, the genesis of this project actually dates back to 1973 when I first saw the study area in Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge as a visiting professor at the Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago. At that time, I initiated a small mammal live-trapping study in collaboration with Eric Le Boulengé of Belgium. Little did we know that the basic data we collected on small mammal populations, diets, and predators then would lead to the installation of what is now the longest running field manipulation in temperate South America. In this experiment, we have altered predator and herbivore access to replicated field enclosures. We have documented strong effects of biotic interactions including herbivory and vertebrate predation on floral and faunal elements; however, abiotic factors due chiefly to periodic rainfall events such as El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSOs), and most recently climate change have dramatic, overriding effects on virtually all biotic elements. Work continues today with additional experiments and inclusion of other faunal groups such as birds, arthropods and lagomorphs; however, we emphasize that in order to maintain a sustained multifaceted study such as this one, three essential elements are required: 1) good data; 2) the evolution of objectives and sampling efforts; and 3) to some degree, chance or serendipity. We are grateful to many sources of support we have enjoyed over the past 28 years, as well as the dedicated labor of more than 30 technicians and post-doctoral students in the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the nature of faunal assembly and community structure remains central to ecology. Research in North American deserts and some tropical forests provides evidence of energetic compensation and zero-sum dynamics, suggesting that species in some natural assemblages may be replaced with limited impact on ecosystem function. Experimental removal of a dominant small mammal (degu, Octodon degus) from replicate plots in semiarid coastal thorn-scrub habitat in north-central Chile revealed no evidence for energetic or functional compensation; energy consumption remained significantly lower on degu exclusions relative to control plots after 17 years of exclusion. This occurred in spite of the fact that the geographic species pools for South American sites generally are similar in size to those of most North American sites (mean and median number of species, 16.3 and 21.5 vs. 21.0 and 20, respectively). A macroecological assessment of energetically equivalent species at 394 arid sites in North America, the Gobi Desert, and South America indicated that the number of potentially equivalent species was lower than (Gobi) or similar to (South America) that found in North America, but when segregated by trophic groups, these faunas differed markedly. North American sites included large numbers of granivorous species whereas South American sites were dominated by omnivores. The more general trophic strategy in the latter sites would be expected to facilitate compensatory responses within local faunas, suggesting either that our site is anomalous or that other factors are governing local dynamics. Further research is needed to understand the generality of compensatory dynamics within natural systems, as this mechanism has direct relevance to discussions on ecological resilience in the face of ongoing environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The La Pampa Gneisses are an enclave of orthogneisses emplaced within late Paleozoic to Triassic granitoids of the Chollay Batholith, in the Cordillera Frontal, to the east of Vallenar. Previous geochronological data (a Rb/Sr “errorchron” of 415 ± 4 Ma) allowed to some authors to suggest that these rocks were part of the Chilenia Terrane accreted to Gondwana during the Middle Devonian (ca. 390 Ma). New petrographic, chemical and geothermobarometric studies, together with U–Pb geochronological data show that the protolith of the La Pampa Gneisses derives from peraluminous tonalites emplaced during the Pennsylvanian at 306.5 ± 1.8 Ma, ruling out the hypothesis considering these rocks as remnant of the pre-collisional Chilenia basement. The tonalites were metamorphosed between 5.06 and 5.58 kbar and 709–779 °C during the middle Permian (267.6 ± 2.1 Ma), possibly in conjunction with the San Rafael tectonic event and the emplacement of the oldest granitoids of the Chollay Batholith. A new intrusive episode occurred at ca. 240 Ma, followed by exhumation and cooling during a regional Triassic extensional episode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation plays an important role in the dynamics of species found in arid and semiarid environments. However, population fluctuations generally are driven by a combination of multiple factors whose relative contribution may vary through time and among species. We monitored fluctuations of species in three trophic levels for >17 years at a semiarid community in north-central Chile. The region is strongly affected by the El Niño Southern Oscillation, resulting in high variation in rainfall that triggers dramatic changes in food resource availability, with strong effects on upper trophic levels. We focused our analyses on the role played by endogenous and exogenous (climatic) factors on the dynamics of two important rodent species in the community, Octodon degus and Phyllotis darwini. We documented population fluctuations of several orders of magnitude in response to wet and dry episodes of different strength and duration. P. darwini reached similar maximum densities, regardless of the duration of high-rainfall events, whereas 0. degus showed additive effects of multiple wet years. Time series diagnostic tools revealed oscillations with a 5-year periodicity in rainfall, which may be the cause of the same periodicity and a weak second-order signal observed in the rodent dynamics. However, the dynamics of both rodent species were dominated by strong first-order processes, suggesting an important role of direct density dependence. Intraspecific competition, expressed as the ratio of rodent density/rainfall (or food resources) explained more than two-thirds of the variation in the population rate, of change, whereas less than one-third was explained by lagged rainfall (or food resources). We detected no significant effects of predation. Our results contribute to a growing number of examples of dynamics governed by the combined effect of density dependence and climatic forcing. They also reveal strong bottom-up regulation that may be common in other arid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semi-terrestrial isopod, Tylos spinulosus Dana, is a common inhabitant of the upper shore levels of sandy beaches of north-central Chile (ca. 26–30°S). During daylight hours, this isopod remains buried in the sand, while during the night emerges for feeding on stranded organic detritus, leaving exit holes on the beach surface. After feeding, isopods return to dig in their burrowing zones leaving surface irregularities such as cone-shaped mounds of sand. The burrowing preference of T. spinulosus was studied in the field, by: (i) releasing 30 isopods on artificially prepared sand circles (2 m diameter) having exit holes and mounds similar to those left by the isopods and on circles without holes and mounds, and (ii) counting active and buried isopods 15 min after their release in the experimental arenas. The circles had two densities of holes and mounds: treatments 1 and 2 had 100 and 200 holes, respectively, while treatments 3 and 4 had 100 and 200 mounds, respectively. Other 30 isopods were released on sand circles without these holes and mounds (treatment 5). A significantly higher number of isopods buried in circles with holes and mounds (either inside or outside them), compared with experimental arenas without such structures. These results show that the beach surface heterogeneity resulting from holes and mounds would be one of the processes explaining the patchiness of T. spinulosus and thus, its zonation on the intertidal zones of sandy beaches of north-central Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On September 16, 2015, a M w 8.3 earthquake struck the north-central Chile coast, triggering a tsunami observed along 500 km of coastline, between Huasco (28.5°S) and San Antonio (33.5°S). This tsunami provided a unique opportunity to examine the nature of tsunami deposits in a semi-arid, siliciclastic environment where stratigraphic and sedimentological records of past tsunamis are difficult to distinguish. To improve our ability to identify such evidence, we targeted one of the few low-energy, organic-rich depositional environments in north-central Chile: Pachingo marsh in Tongoy Bay (30.3°S). We found sedimentary evidence of the 2015 and one previous tsunami as tabular sand sheets. Both deposits are composed of poorly to moderately sorted, gray-brown, fine-to medium-grained sand and are distinct from underlying and overlying organic-rich silt. Both sand beds thin (from ∼20 cm to <1 cm) and fine landward, and show normal grading. The older sand bed is thicker and extends over 125 m further inland than the 2015 tsunami deposit. To model the relative size of the tsunamis that deposited each sand bed, we employed tsunami flow inversion. Our results show that the older sand bed was produced by higher flow speeds and depths than those in 2015. Anthropogenic evidence along with 137Cs and 210Pb dating constrains the age of the older tsunami to the last ∼110 years. We suggest that the older sand bed was deposited by the large tsunami in 1922 CE sourced to the north of our study site. This deposit represents the first geologic evidence of a pre-2015 tsunami along the semi-arid north-central Chile coast and highlights the current and continuing tsunami hazard in the region. • First geologic record of pre-2015 tsunami inundation in north-central Chile. • Stratigraphic and grain-size analyses characterize the 2015 and one older tsunami deposit. • 137Cs, 210Pb, and historical analyses show that the older tsunami was deposited in 1922 CE. • Tsunami and tidal modeling show the 1922 tsunami was higher and faster than the 2015 tsunami. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

U–Pb SHRIMP detrital zircon dating of ten samples of metamorphic "basement" rocks in north-central Chile and one granitic rock, improve knowledge of sedimentary, metamorphic and plutonic events in this segment of the Andean margin. The oldest possible sedimentation ages (Ordovician) come from a micaschist at Huentelauquén (477 Ma) and a granofels from a migmatite at Las Cruces (470 Ma) whose garnet-bearing granitic neosome (ca. 320 Ma) is essentially coetaneous with the extensive Coast Range Batholith. The rest of the samples show probable Carboniferous or Late Triassic maximum depositional ages. The late Paleozoic low-to-medium grade metasedimentary components of the basement, interpreted as forming part of a paleo-accretionary complex, have detrital zircon age patterns with prominent Famatinian and Grenville-age peaks; these are much less prominent in the Late Triassic rocks. The latter were deformed and metamorphosed shortly after their deposition, although some do not show visible evidence of metamorphism. Contemporaneous Triassic sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous events are recorded in Mejillones Peninsula (22°S) and in the Chonos archipelago (44°–47°S) but not in the 34°–42°S central Chile sector of the fossil accretionary complex. These events predate generalized Jurassic subduction beneath the western Gondwana continental margin that initiated the Andean orogenic cycle. • New SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of the sedimentary, metamorphic and plutonic events in north-central Chile segment of the Andean margin. • Central Chile basement is mostly Carboniferous to late Triassic, with the Carboniferous sedimentary protoliths having Proterozoic to early Paleozoic provenance. • Triassic protoliths record pre-Jurassic subduction and metamorphism. • Triassic metamorphism is well established in the Norte Chico segment, but absent in the south-Central Chile segment. • Reinforcing the N-S segmented nature of the accretionary margin to southwestern Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]