Urban wetland mapping
Introduction
The Quilicura wetland, also known as Küla Kura, is located near an inhabited area, which is why the term urban wetland is coined.[1] Almost all types of wetlands classified by Ramsar are represented in Chile. This is due to the geographical and climatic characteristics of the country that provide a favorable scenario for them.[2] Wetlands are an important place for vegetation and living beings, such as fish, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, migratory birds, among others.
In Chile there are currently more than 9,722 hectares that belong to 89 urban wetlands recognized under law 21,202.[3] This law considers an Urban Wetland to be an insert of the entire place or just a part within the urban limit, defined by land use according to territorial planning.[1] In addition to this, the law aims to protect urban wetlands declared by the Ministry of the Environment "Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (Chile)"). thus, postponing the delivery of subdivision, construction or urbanization permits.[4] The declaration as an urban wetland is made by the Ministry of the Environment under two procedures, with ministry official letters or at the request of the corresponding municipalities.
The commune of Quilicura has three urban wetlands, called Wetland O'Higgins, Wetland San Luis and Wetland San Luis Norte. These accumulate more than 468.3 hectares of land near Estero Las Cruces.[1] It is made up of two large sectors. The northern San Luis sector that corresponds to polygon 1 and 3 and the O'Higgins sector with polygon 2. These three polygons would be relics[5] of the old Batuco Wetland**.**.
Background
Urban wetland declaration
On June 24, 2021, resolution 616 was promulgated, which recognizes the existence of the Quilicura Urban Wetland[4] within the Urban Wetland Protection Law "Urban Wetland Law (Chile)") (LDPHU) No. 21,202. The request for the designation of the sector as a wetland was made by the municipality of Quilicura and was accepted by the SEREMI[6] and the Ministry of the Environment.