The meseta ibérica transboundary biosphere reserve as a transboundary protected natural space: A conservation tool or a promotional brand?

Abstract

Transboundary protected areas (TBPAs) have multiplied in recent years, especially in Europe and Southern Africa. A vast body of research has been carried out on TBPAs by international organisations as well as scholars, with the former generally being more neutral and the latter more critical. In the Iberian Peninsula, the Meseta Ibérica Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, designated in 2015, stands out for its covered land area. Qualitative research methods are used to study this biosphere reserve, particularly semi-structured interviews. The results are interpreted within the framework of the available literature on TBPAs. The analysis reveals that this biosphere reserve is discursively based more on tour- ism and brand issues than on aspects related to environmental protection and conservation; a conclusion which subverts the expected model.