The Alerce tree that grows in these temperate forests if often referred to as one of the oldest living "climate witnesses" on earth. The Alerce, grows in the Valdivian coastal and mountain temperate rainforests in Chile and Argentina. This tree can become over 3600 years old and it is the second-longest living tree in the world (after the Bristlecone tree in California). The Alerce only grows one mm per year but can become over 50 meters high.


Analysis of the Alerce tree rings shows the sudden temperature rise over the last 100 years. This makes the Alerce tree one of the oldest living climate witnesses.

As the glaciers and ice fields in the Andes are melting rapidly, over a few decades influence the whole water pattern of the region.

Weather patterns of this region are also changing, as rainfall falls more rarely, with longer drought periods and more forest fires.


WWF is working on the conservation of Alerce and other endangered long-lived species, which are climate witnesses.

WWF and partners are adjusting conservation plans to ensure that resistant forests can be protected, mainly through the creation of protected areas.
WWF has developed a project (still to be financed) to enhance the understanding and capabilities to address climate change, evaluate the vulnerability of the ecoregion´s biodiversity and human populations to change, and increase public awareness.