Marine Mammals and Seabirds of Chilean Patagonia: Focal Species for the Conservation of Marine Ecosystems
Rodrigo Hucke‐Gaete, Francisco A. Viddi, Alejandro Simeone
Abstract
Chilean Patagonia boasts 100,627 km of coastline, including approximately 40,050 islands and numerous fjords and channels, which generate a high degree of geomorphological and hydrographic complexity and make it one of the largest mega-estuarine environments on Earth. These characteristics, among others, generate structurally and functionally unique marine ecosystems, as well as biodiversity hotspots. In this chapter we perform a comprehensive literature review and highlight the use of marine mammals and seabirds as focal species to guide conservation initiatives aimed at minimizing anthropogenic impacts as well as safeguarding the ecosystem integrity of Patagonia as a climate refuge. Given their characteristics as ecologically relevant umbrella, indicator, and sentinel species, we suggest that focal species are highly useful in guiding the prioritization of management and conservation initiatives to achieve world-class conservation standards in Chilean Patagonia.