World Heritage Identification Number: 1526
World Heritage since: 2017
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇦🇷 Argentina
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Los Alerces National Park: A Unique Treasure in Argentine Patagonia
Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, lies nestled within the majestic Andes mountain range in the Chubut Province of Argentina. Stretching along the western border with Chile, this expansive protected area boasts a diverse and breathtaking landscape that has been sculpted over millennia by the relentless forces of glaciation.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Los Alerces National Park is located in the Andes of northern Patagonia and its western boundary coincides with the Chilean border. Successive glaciations have moulded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes. The vegetation is dominated by dense temperate forests, which give way to alpine meadows higher up under the rocky Andean peaks. A highly distinctive and emblematic feature is its alerce forest; the globally threatened Alerce tree is the second longest living tree species in the world (>3,600 years). The Alerce forest in the property is in an excellent state of conservation. The property is vital for the protection of some of the last portions of continuous Patagonian Forest in an almost pristine state and is the habitat for a number of endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (vii): The property conserves a variety of landscapes and scenery. It contains an extensive system of interconnected, natural clear-water lakes and rivers. These waters display spectacular colours with shifting hues of green, blue and turquoise according to the intensity of sunlight and the time of the year. Crystal-clear rivers and lakes are surrounded by lush temperate Valdivian forests in an environment of mountain ranges, glaciers and snow-capped peaks. The Alerce forest is a celebrated feature of this majestic landscape; the forest is particularly remarkable in the north arm of Lake Menéndez which contains the Millennial Alerce Forest, located amidst a rainforest environment of ferns, moss, lichens, vines and bamboo, and with the largest and oldest tree being nearly 60 metres tall and approximately 2,600 years old. The Los Alerces National Park retains a high degree of naturalness providing a profound visitor experience.
Criterion (x): The property contains globally important undisturbed areas of Patagonian Forest, influenced by elements of Valdivian Temperate Forest, which is a priority ecoregion for biodiversity conservation worldwide. The Valdivian ecoregion has developed in marked biogeographic insularity, in which important speciation processes have taken place. This is evidenced by the presence of relict genera and even taxonomic orders, as well as numerous endemic and threatened species: 34% of woody plant genera are endemic, from which 80% are known from only one species, and some are relict having survived periods of glaciation. The globally threatened Alerce tree is the second longest living tree species in the world (> 3,600 years). Unlike many other Alerce forests, which show signs of alteration due to exploitation, livestock farming or fire, the Alerce forest in the property is in an excellent state of conservation, which contributes to the long-term viability of the species’ natural populations.
Encyclopedia Record: Los Alerces National Park
Los Alerces National Park is located in the Andes in Chubut Province in the Patagonian region of Argentina. Its western boundary coincides with the Chilean border. Successive glaciations have molded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes. The vegetation is dominated by dense temperate forests, which give way to alpine meadows higher up under the rocky Andean peaks. A highly distinctive and emblematic feature is its alerce forest; the globally threatened alerce tree is the second longest living tree species in the world. The alerce forests in the park are in an excellent state of conservation. The property is vital for the protection of some of the last portions of continuous Patagonian Forest in an almost pristine state and is the habitat for a number of endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna.Additional Site Details
Area: 188,379 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: -42.8528 , -71.8728
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Los Alerces National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
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© littletroll, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Los Alerces National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Effects of Light on the Transition From Sapling to Adult
Prunus cerasus : Implications for Managing Invasion in Los Alerces National Park, ArgentinaInvasive Prunus cerasus, known for its long-distance seed dispersal via frugivory, shows significant variation in the transition from sapling to adult phase based on light availability. Research in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, reveals that 80% of individuals with a basal diameter of 2 cm flower under low canopy cover, while those under high cover require a 4 cm diameter—corresponding to ages of 10 and 20 years, respectively. Dendrochronology and light measurements confirmed that canopy cover influences daily light intensity and photoperiod, critical for flowering. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing the removal of P. cerasus in low-canopy areas before saplings reach a 2 cm basal diameter to effectively manage invasions.
Berrondo, M. O., & Bravo, S. P. (2025). Effects of Light on the Transition From Sapling to Adult
View Publication Record | Read PublicationPrunus cerasus : Implications for Managing Invasion in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. Austral Ecology, 50(10). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70133 -
Potential species distribution models can help in the conservation of threatened species: the case of the Guigna (Leopardus guigna) in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina
A critical analysis of Guigna (Leopardus guigna) distribution in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, identifies four primary valleys and two secondary areas as optimal for conservation. The study leverages potential species distribution models to map sightings over 45 years, pinpointing regions with confirmed presence or absence while accounting for observation biases. It reveals that maintaining forest connectivity—threatened by wild boar expansion—is essential for sustaining healthy Guigna populations amid projected climate and land-use changes. This research provides actionable insights for the Argentine Administration of National Parks to prioritize conservation strategies.
Berrondo, M. O., & Bravo, S. P. (2022). Potential species distribution models can help in the conservation of threatened species: the case of the Guigna (Leopardus guigna) in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. Parks, (28.1), 22–30. https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.ch.2022.parks-28-1mob.en
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Updating records of a threatened felid species of the Argentinian Patagonia: the Guigna Leopardus guigna (Molina, 1782) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Los Alerces National Park
Researchers have documented two new, reliable records of the Guigna (Leopardus guigna), a small, endangered felid native to Argentina and Chile's Valdivian Temperate Forests. These sightings occurred in Los Alerces National Park, Chubut Province, marking the southernmost confirmed presence of the species within a protected area. One individual was found dead near Amutui Quimei Lake, while another was captured in a trap near Menéndez Lake, both in Nothofagus-dominated forest habitats close to watercourses. The study underscores the critical need for habitat connectivity between protected areas, particularly in regions with significant human activity, to ensure long-term Guigna population viability. Further fieldwork is recommended to expand knowledge on its distribution, ecology, and habitat use.
Guerisoli, M. d. l. M., Schiaffini, M. I., & Bauer, G. (2020). Updating records of a threatened felid species of the Argentinian Patagonia: the Guigna Leopardus guigna (Molina, 1782) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Los Alerces National Park. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 12(16), 17252–17257. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6208.12.16.17252-17257
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Macro and Microhabitat Patterns of Habitat Use and Selection by Wild Boar in Los Alerces National Park
Wild boar (Sus scrofa) preferentially select Lomatia hirsuta forest over other habitats, such as Nothofagus pumilio forest and Valdivian evergreen rainforest, in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. This preference is consistent across both spring-summer and autumn-winter periods, with microhabitat selection favoring low slopes and high canopy cover, particularly on southeast-facing areas with intermediate ground cover. The study, one of the first to analyze wild boar habitat use at macro and micro scales in Patagonian protected areas, provides critical insights for managing this invasive species and understanding its ecological impact.
Panebianco, A., Bó, R. F., Gregorio, P. F., & Vila, A. (2019). MACRO AND MICROHABITAT PATTERNS OF HABITAT USE AND SELECTION BY WILD BOAR IN LOS ALERCES NATIONAL PARK. Mastozoología Neotropical, 26(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.31687/saremmn.19.26.1.0.07
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Owls in urban narratives: implications for conservation and environmental education in NW Patagonia (Argentina)
A significant surge in owl populations following a rodent boom in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, has sparked both ecological concern and human conflict. The study reveals that while 74% of respondents recognize owls as primarily rodent predators, deep-seated myths persist: 61% associate them with diabolical traits, while 13% view them as wise symbols. These perceptions drive divergent behaviors, from protection to extermination. An intercultural educational approach, integrating academic and traditional knowledge, effectively increased student interest in owl conservation. The research underscores the need for targeted environmental education and state-led conservation programs to mitigate human-owl conflicts in urban Patagonian areas.
Molares, S., & Gurovich, Y. (2018). Owls in urban narratives: implications for conservation and environmental education in NW Patagonia (Argentina). Neotropical Biodiversity, 4(1), 164–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/23766808.2018.1545379
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Short-term effects of wildfire on Patagonian headwater streams
A significant shift in taxonomic composition and reduced densities of sensitive taxa in Patagonian headwater streams was observed shortly after the 2015 El Cristo wildfire in Los Alerces National Park. While macroinvertebrate richness, abundance, and diversity remained unchanged, burned streams exhibited higher water temperature, total dissolved solids, and suspended solids, along with a notable decrease in shredders and collector-filterers. This suggests that while overall biodiversity may be resilient to short-term disturbances, sensitive taxa and functional feeding groups are vulnerable. The study compared physicochemical variables and community structure between burned and unburned streams through periodic water quality assessments and sampling of periphyton and invertebrates over eight months post-fire.
Williams Subiza, E. A., & Brand, C. (2018). Short-term effects of wildfire on Patagonian headwater streams. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 27(7), 457–470. https://doi.org/10.1071/wf17164
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The presence of the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Chubut, Southern Argentina, after the synchronous maturation and flowering of native bamboo and subsequent rodent irruption
A breeding population of the rare marsupial Dromiciops gliroides, the sole surviving member of the order Microbiotheria, has been discovered in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina—marking its southernmost known range in the country. This finding extends its distribution further south than previously documented and suggests the species thrives in Nothofagus forests, likely using tree hollows for refuge rather than constructing dreys. The study, conducted post a 70-year bamboo flowering event that triggered a rodent irruption, captured four adult Dromiciops gliroides, including two females with pouch young, indicating births occurred between late October and early November. Research suggests the species relies on insects during spring due to limited fruiting plants. Threats to this population include introduced predators and human activities such as farming and tourism.
Gurovich, Y., Stannard, H. J., & Old, J. M. (2015). The presence of the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Chubut, Southern Argentina, after the synchronous maturation and flowering of native bamboo and subsequent rodent irruption. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 88(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40693-015-0047-1
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Habitat use of the wild boar,Sus scrofaLinnaeus 1758, in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina
Wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, show distinct habitat preferences, favoring lower elevations (600 to 700 meters above sea level) and forests dominated by Nothofagus species with dense understory. Seasonal variations were observed, with different patterns of sign occurrence between summer and autumn. These findings provide critical insights for park management, aiding in the development of targeted wild boar control strategies.
Schiaffini, M. I., & Vila, A. R. (2012). Habitat use of the wild boar,Sus scrofaLinnaeus 1758, in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 47(1), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/01650521.2012.657916
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