High Andean wetlands at the climate crisis crossroads and mining extractivsm: the Parque Andino Juncal case

High Andean wetlands play a strategic role in water provision, climate regula- tion and biodiversity conservation. Located in the Valparaíso Region of the Central Andes of Chile, Parque Andino Juncal encompasses part of a hydrological network composed of rivers, ravines, glaciers, high Andean peatlands (vegas) and springs. Established in 2004 as a privately led conservation initiative open to the public, the park was designated a RAMSAR site in 2010. Since 2017, it has gained greater vis-ibility as a sustainable tourism project, drawing visitors primarily from the Valparaíso Region, but also from other parts of Chile and abroad. This initiative integrates tourism with passive restoration practices. Considering the alarming vulnerability of the vegas due to climate change – particularly glacial melt and prolonged drought periods – it is essential to consider both the climatic and the anthropogenic factors threatening these ecosystems to develop climate adaptation and resilience strategies. Parque Andino Juncal offers one such alternative. However, its development may be hindered by the installation of mining projects in the area. In this context, our objective is to highlight the importance of maintaining private protected areas such as the one presented here, as they serve as strategic spaces for monitoring and mitigating the effects of climate change on fragile and vital ecosystems.