From September 3 to 5, the NaturaInvest team participated in the Native Flora Congress, a forum for networking and exchange that brought together researchers, professionals, and organizations involved in the study, conservation, and assessment of biodiversity and flora.

Over the course of the three-day event, the Congress featured a variety of learning opportunities, including panel discussions, scientific poster presentations, discussion groups, and field trips. This diversity of formats made it possible to examine native flora from multiple perspectives, linking scientific research to the challenges of conservation, land-use planning, and ecosystem management.

One of the key takeaways from the meeting concerned the complexity of natural systems. Ecosystems are shaped by multiple flows, interactions, and forces that influence one another, often in ways that are difficult to predict.

Understanding these relationships is essential in light of current environmental changes and reinforces the need to move toward a more sustainable relationship with nature.

Research on a wide variety of topics was also presented during the conference. Among them were studies related to the properties of honey and its antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound-healing potential; research on the phenological cycles of the Chilean desert; seed conservation; specific studies on species and genera of the national flora, such as Alstroemeria and Cistanthe longiscapa; and experiences related to the development of projects in environmentally sensitive areas, such as Puerto Williams.

The presentations also provided an opportunity to explore in greater depth the important role that flora plays in urban ecosystems. Among the insights that emerged was the need to move toward cities capable of creating climate refuges and ecological corridors by connecting green spaces, thereby promoting both biodiversity and adaptation to climate change.

In this context, the importance of considering the interactions between plants and insects when designing gardens and green spaces was also emphasized. Factors such as the color and composition of flowers can influence their use by different insect species, while the complementary inclusion of non-native flora can be an option provided that its behavior is properly assessed and potentially invasive species are avoided or harmful to local ecosystems.

For NaturaInvest, participating in these types of initiatives is particularly important. Knowing and understanding biodiversity is essential to being able to value it, properly manage the impacts and interdependencies between human activities and biodiversity, and move toward decisions that better integrate nature.

We would like to thank those who made this event possible, especially the Flora Nativa Foundation, the Pumahuida Nursery, the University of Talca, and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, for creating a space for conversation, research, and collaboration regarding our country’s flora and ecosystems.