Common in parks and gardens, especially in the UK, the Araucaria or ‘monkey puzzle’ is an enigmatic and quirky-looking tree that fascinates many people. Few know about its origins though in the time of the dinosaurs, and that Araucaria forests still exist today in a beautiful landscape of volcanoes and lakes in the southern Andes of Chile and Argentina.
This talk covers all the unique details of the monkey puzzle tree, and the special species associated with it, such as the austral parakeet, the most southerly-occurring parrot in the world. It portrays the remarkable ancient ecosystem formed by the trees, and also the threats such as human-caused climate change that have led to it recently being classified as an Endangered species. Illustrated with over 100
If you would like me to give this talk to a group or at an event, please contact me.