Abstract

Fluvial systems provide multiple services and benefits, but their values are affected by a range of impacts and disturbances. Hydromorphology is used as a conceptual framework for assessing the status of fluvial systems and
design river restoration strategies, but is rarely applied to nearly pristine environments. This paper present one of the
first assessment of river characteristics and changes in the Aysen Region, an area in southern Chilean Patagonia. A series of field surveys and analysis of multitemporal satellite images allowed to define key patterns related to river morphology of the Exploradores river network. The Exploradores basin experienced only limited and recent human disturbances, and fluvial changes are related almost only to natural climatic or geomorphological processes. The river
experienced moderate reduction of active and bankfull channel width and braiding index over the past 70 years. The basin represents a suitable site to study fluvial processes and dynamics in nearly reference conditions, and changes due to the likely increase of human activities and disturbances in the near future.