*2.1. Study Area*

The study area (see Figure 2) is located in the VI Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins Region, Chile, between 33◦5102" and 34◦5636" S, and between 72◦0012" and 69◦4838" W. It has an area of 16,387 km2, and a population of 914,555 in 2017 [18]. The average altitude is 251 m a. s. l. from sea level to an altitude of 4500 m. The local relief is divided into four characteristic sectors—the Los Andes Range, the intermediate depression, the Coastal Range, and the coastal plain. It has a predominantly Mediterranean climate characterized by rainy winters and dry summers. Average annual precipitation is 680 mm, with variations caused by the local topography. The climate on the coast is cloudy with abundant humidity, whereas in the interior, there are significant temperature variations of over 13 ◦C [19].

**Figure 2.** Map of the study area.

The plant diversity is high in terms of its composition, structure and conservation status. There is a predominance of tall shrubs with sclerophyllous leaves, along with low-growing xerophytic and spiny shrubs, succulents and very tall sclerophyllous, spiny laurifoliate trees. The dominant species include

litre *(Lithraea caustica (Molina*) Hook et Arn), quillay (*Quillaja saponaria Molina*), peumo (*Cryptocarya alba (Molina) Looser*), boldo (*Peumus boldus Molina*), and espino (*Acacia caven Molina*) [19].

## *2.2. Data Collection*

This analysis was begun by consulting the Native Forest Registry, which provided information on the forest type and the dominant species present in the study area. It should be noted that the map scale contemplated in the databases was in many cases insufficient, so this information was supplemented with validation campaigns on the terrain in the region that currently has native forest.

From the information available in the registry, an analysis was made of the communities in 2015, including the commune and property limits, toponymy, paths and population centers. The properties that complied with the restrictions imposed by Law 20.283 on the Recovery of the Native Forest and Forest Development in Chile were identified in each community. This document defines the characteristics of the SFLs as follows:

"A person who has the title deed for one or more rural properties with the presence of native forest, with a combined area of no more than 200 ha; whose assets do not exceed the equivalent of 3500 development units (accounting unit used in Chile to re-value savings in line with inflation rates so the money maintains its purchasing power); equivalent to 122,500 euros, whose income derives mainly from agricultural or forestry activities and who works directly on the land, on their property or on another property belonging to third parties."

This information was supplied by the following territorial institutions: National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), a local development program (PRODESAL), and municipalities in the region, who together directed the subsequent campaigns on the terrain for the survey of socio-economic information by first visualizing the spatial distribution of the small forest landowners in the region.

This information was used to prepare a census and a basic map to incorporate and analyze the properties and check whether they meet the legal requirement. There is currently no census of small forest landowners in Chile, as prescribed by this law.

The properties that met the requirements of this study were localized through campaigns on the terrain, involving visits to all the small landowners and their properties. Productive, social, and economic information was collected on the small forest landowners in the region. All the interviews were conducted with the head of the household.

Semi-structured interviews were carried out to capture primary information, on the form included in Appendix A. This procedure was chosen due to the open character of this kind of survey and the fact that they allow information to be obtained from the interviewee in a fluid way [20].

Finally, the information was incorporated into a database for its subsequent statistical analysis.
