Networking as a crucial step towards sustainability in biosphere reserves: 1st symposium Biosphere Reserves in Transition Towards Sustainability, Pucón (Chile), 20 October 2017

Abstract

Biosphere Reserves (BRs) have proliferated around the world in response to the huge challenges imposed by human impacts in the Anthropocene. One way to face these challenges has been the consolidation of regional networks for sharing lessons learned in recent decades. Current challenges include adaptation to global changes and adoption of SDG UNESCO goals. National networks for countries with a significant number of BRs are crucial for consolidating regional networks. This is a pending issue for the Chilean BRs network, which still lacks a public-private governance scheme that would ensure adequate consensus on advancing sustainability in all the units. Chilean BRs encompass a diversity of ecoregions, from high-altitude desert to magellanic moorlands, including offshore islands and a diversity of landscapes and seascapes. The symposium held in Pucón, southern Chile, at La Frontera University, brought together scientists and private managers working on different aspects of the BRs, within the framework of the XXXVIII National Congress of Geography. The meeting saw scientists and private institutions exploring the different geographic, social and economic aspects for transiting towards sustainability. The network formed there agreed to enhance management of the BRs and support the conformation of local, regional and the national Committee of Chilean BRs, along recommendations from the Lima 4th World Congress.