The phenomenon of the “Blooming Desert” in Atacama’s National Park

Rebecca Manzi Rebecca Manzi
Posted on 03/07/2024

The "flowery desert" in Atacama has already bloomed this year, although this usually happens in mid-August due to the exceptional rains this winter

The “Blooming Desert” phenomenon in the National Park of the Blooming Desert, located in the Atacama region, has surprised everyone this year with an early bloom starting in early July. Gyslaine Medely, a geologist with the Corporation of Paleontology and Natural History, documented this natural wonder with photographs showing unusual blooms for this time of year.

Exceptional early bloom

Typically, blooms are expected towards the end of summer, between mid-August and all of September. Experts attribute this early bloom to exceptional winter rains, with over 2 inches of rain in some areas, creating ideal conditions for the phenomenon to occur earlier than usual.

Conservation and visitor responsibility

The main blooms are found within the boundaries of the National Park of the Blooming Desert. However, the area lacks adequate infrastructure to accommodate tourists, making responsible behavior by visitors crucial. It is important to avoid driving vehicles into the blooming areas, not to trample the flowers, and always to respect the ecosystems, taking away only the experience and photographs as souvenirs.

Around 200 species can bloom

The blooming desert event occurs annually. This year, the combination of rain and favorable temperatures allowed plants to germinate early and may extend even further due to current weather conditions. The duration of the flowers will depend on temperatures and humidity, with cloudy periods potentially extending the bloom into October.

Floral species that can be admired include Patas de Guanaco, Añañuca, Ajillo, and Calandrina, among others, along with perennial shrubs that will sprout more leaves. According to the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), around 200 species can germinate in these moist conditions in the Atacama Desert, especially in the coastal area.

A spectacle and an indicator

This natural phenomenon, which colors one of the driest deserts in the world, represents not only a visual spectacle but also an important indicator of climate variations and water resources in the region. As mentioned, if visiting this wonder, it is essential to do so with respect, contributing to the conservation of this precious ecosystem.

 

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Indigenous Amazonian community’s viral video highlights environmental awareness

Roberta De Carolis Roberta De Carolis
Posted on 03/07/2024

A baby dolphin was found killed by a boy in the Amazon, released dead into the waters after being chased away: her powerful message to people

A video recorded by an indigenous community in the Amazon has gone viral worldwide, delivering a powerful message about environmental awareness. The video features a community member who discovered the lifeless body of a small gray freshwater dolphin, a species already at risk of extinction.

A heartbreaking discovery

The grim discovery was made along the banks of an Amazonian river, where the dolphin had been hunted and then discarded into the water. The visibly shaken native speaks with simple yet poignant words, expressing his pain and frustration over this senseless act of cruelty.

“This is what we humans do,” he says, emphasizing how humanity continually harms what nature provides. “What we humans do is deplete what Mother Earth gives us.” His speech continues with a bitter reflection on the dolphin’s plight: “Someone captured it and left it to die just because they felt like leaving it to die. They didn’t help it.”

It was a female calf

The man then makes a particularly touching reference to the dolphin, identifying it as a female, highlighting the injustice and tragedy of her death:

“It’s a baby. The gender is… it’s a female. A baby girl.” His conclusion is a collective condemnation of human actions: “This is what we all do, damage what we have. I don’t know why we do it.”

A call for reflection

This video has sparked deep reflection among viewers on the fragility of ecosystems and humanity’s responsibility to protect them. The images of the small gray dolphin, floating lifeless in the river, have become a powerful symbol in the fight against environmental destruction and the urgent need for a change in our habits and practices.

An urgent plea from the Indigenous community

The indigenous community of the Amazon, which lives in close connection with nature and directly depends on the health of its ecosystems, has issued a cry for help that cannot be ignored. Greater efforts are needed to protect endangered species. Only through collective commitment and increased awareness can we hope to preserve the wonders of our planet for future generations.

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