Flowering Atacama Desert

Due to Saint Isidro's generosity and after a long rest, the Atacama desert woke up to life this year, covered with colorful and gracefully shaped blossoms. We are talking about the Blooming Desert, a marvel that occurs only every 4 or 5 years, from September to November. The blooming of the desert is a miracle of nature and the most impressive and beautiful phenomenon to take place in Chile. Hundreds of kilometers of desert, usually only sand and rocks, are transformed in a great carpet of color and life thanks to the kindness of water. The flowering period varies according to the characteristics of the rainfalls, but usually starts at the end of August and may last till November or even December, if these are late.

This year, the region around Huasco, 45 kilometers west of the road (which road?) and following the river of the same name, is one of the best spots to appreciate and enjoy this gift of nature. It may also be seen from the same road 5 North between Vallenar and Copiapó, and the Aguada de Tongoy, a narrow valley situated 35 kilometers south of this seaside town. There the hills are covered with little blue flowers (azulillos), round and intense raspberry colored "guanaco feet", "añañucas" and velvets with delicate yellow petals.

An explosion of beauty

Over 200 species of flowers appear after years of patient waiting. Used to the dry and inhospitable soil, they reappear in glory and majesty. Not all blossom at the same time, they grow alternatively changing the coloring of the ground.

But not only flowers are born at the Flowering Desert. A rich fauna grows around it. Lizards, reptiles, birds and animals like foxes and the "guanaco", share the environment. It is also usual to see insects such as the traditional "desert's little cow" (gyriosomus), wasps and coleopterous like the Meloides.

Everybody's heritage

Since many of the species that bloom at the Blooming Desert phenomenon do not grow anywhere else on the planet, its preservation is fundamental. There are established treks to walk, and cutting flowers is prohibited, as they do not grow in pots nor gardens. The Regional Government Exent Resolution officially protects it to insure that future generations may enjoy this beautiful Atacama spectacle.

The flowering desert (Spanish : desierto florido) is a climatic phenomenon that occurs in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The phenomenon consists of the blossoming of a wide variety of flowers between the months of September and November in years when rainfall is unusually high. Normally the region receives less than 12 mm (0.47 in) of rain a year.

The blossoming occurs when the unusual level of rainfall reach the seeds and bulbs that have been in a latent or dormant state and causes them to germinate and flower in early spring. It is accompanied by the proliferation of insects, birds and small species of lizard. At its height, the phenomenon can be seen from just south of the city of Vallenar to just north of the city of Copiapó throughout the coastal valleys and Chilean Coast Range from September to November.

Flowering desert in the Chilean Atacama Desert

Climatically, the event is related to the El Niño phenomenon, a band of anomalously warm ocean water temperatures that occasionally develops off the western coast of South America, which can lead to an increase in evaporation and therefore precipitation. 
The flowering desert is a popular tourist attraction with tourists visiting the phenomenon from various points around the southern Atacama, including Huasco, Vallenar, La Serena, Copiapó and Caldera.

Plant and Animal Life

            The flowering desert involves more than 200 species of flower, most of them endemic to the Atacama region. The different species germinate at different times through the flowering desert period. Some of the most common species include:

• Garra de león (Bomarea ovallei) 
•  Pata de guanaco (Cistanthe grandiflora) 
•  Añañuca (Rhodophiala rhodolirion) 
•  Schizopetalon tenuifolium

The region is also home to cacti, succulents and other examples of xerophilous plants, as well as animal species including the Tuco-tuco and the Four-Eyed Frog.

Conservation

            In recent years, concerns have been raised by environmental organizations about the potentially damaging effects of large numbers of tourists visiting the flowering desert, the illegal trade of native flower species, and the development of motorsport. Environmental organizations have suggested that these activities limit the potential for regeneration of the existing species. In response to this, the Chilean Government has established a series of prohibitions and controls, in addition to informative campaigns to the public, and especially to tourists, in order to limit the damage.

 

Flowering desert in Barranquilla (2010), Atacama Region 

Flowering  

The phenomenon is strictly dependent on above-average rainfall, although highly excessive rainfall has been seen to limit blooming. In 1997, for example, the region saw very high total rainfall - 129.4 mm for Copiapó and 168.5 mm for Vallenar, which were respectively 978% and 433% above average. Despite this high rainfall, desert flowering was minimal.

http://www.explore-atacama.com/eng/atacama-guides/flowering-desert.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowering_desert