Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 212527355

Ecology and conservation of the snail Chilina angusta: A species of the Atacama Desert threatened of extinction.

The project is focused on the conservation of a freshwater snail whose only known distribution in the world is a spring on the coast of the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. The objectives are: 1. To know the distribution of the species and the population viability of the population. The geographical distribution area will be updated, determining its historical changes and its potential range. The population structure, reproductive potential and seasonal variability throughout the year will be characterized. A population viability analysis will be carried out using Vortex. 2. Identify and evaluate the associated flora and fauna, and quantify the positive/negative interactions with other species, during the sampling period. 3. To understand the behavior and habitat requirements of the species. Water quality and sediment variables will be measured. Their spatio-temporal variability in different desert springs will be analyzed. 4. Determine the actual conservation status of the species (IUCN criteria), and its habitat, and establish in-situ and exsitu conservation measures for the species. 5. Dissemination of results. The results will be reported to the IUCN species classification committee. An awareness campaign will be carried out to government authorities and the general public about this species throughout the project.

Project document

• Photographs were uploaded in Conservation connect, in order to increase the dissemination of the project to the community. https://conservationconnect.earth/project/3437




Project 212527355 location - Chile, South America