Coquimbo, Chile

Tucked between the coastal Andes and the sea, Puerto Aldea’s hidden Heterozostera nigricaulis meadow shelters life below the waves - woven into payasas by fishers, studied by scientists, it links culture and ecology in a coastal ecosystem yet to be fully discovered. -- Eva Rothäusler, PI of MarineGEO Puerto Aldea

Puerto Aldea is a small fishing village on Chile’s central-northern coast, in the Coquimbo Region. Accessible only by dirt road, it remains largely untouched by tourism. Nestled between the coastal Andes, semi-arid hills, and the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current, it offers a uniquely dynamic ecological setting. Situated near a major upwelling center, it experiences high biological productivity that supports diverse marine ecosystems. The surrounding seascape characterized by narrow rocky intertidal zones, and subtidal soft-bottom habitats makes it an ideal natural laboratory for long-term ecological research. A notable feature of this site is its seagrass meadow, composed exclusively of Heterozostera nigricaulis, easily recognized by its characteristic “caulis nigris”. Local fishers are well aware of the ecological importance of the seagrass meadow, recognizing it as a nursery ground for commercially important species such as scallops and crabs. However, scientific knowledge of this habitat remains limited. In response, the LAMA Laboratory at the Universidad Católica del Norte initiated a baseline study in 2023, funded by ANID (the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development – Fondecyt 1231236), focusing on invertebrate communities, spatial extension, bathymetry, seagrass physiology, genetic diversity, and their use and value for local fishers.  

A key strength of Puerto Aldea is that it is relatively close to the Universidad Católica del Norte, so it can be used for educational activities, and student involvement. In LAMA we seek collaborations with national and international partners interested in marine biodiversity, ecological monitoring, and nature-based solutions. We welcome joint research projects, data-sharing initiatives, and field-based student training programs that contribute to a broader understanding of this solitary meadow on the southeast Pacific coast of Chile.

MarineGEO Team

  • Principal Investigator: Eva Rothäusler
  • David Jofré Madariaga
  • Vieia Villalobos 
  • Danae Gumera

Participating Institutions

Social Media

  • Instagram: @lama.chile