Description: This article discusses building a Chilean network for long-term socio-ecological research. Abstract: Since their formal inception in 1980, long-term ecological research (LTER) programs have served as a successful organizing framework to create research agendas and funding mechanisms that allow scientists to address meaningful ecological phenomena at the scales they occur. In its 30 years of existence, LTER has expanded its geographic range (currently the International LTER network has more than 40 country members with sites on every continent) and disciplinary foci (principally encompassing the natural and social sciences and leading some to call for a name change to long-term socio-ecological research efforts exist in both Chile and Argentina, and in 2008, the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity launched Chile's first concerted effort to link three existing sites (Fray Jorge Forest National Park -33° S, Senda Darwin Biological Station - 43° S, and Omora Ethnobotanical Park - 55° S). Here, the authors present a special feature of the Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, dedicated to LTSER, with the aim of 1) providing a synthesis of some of the most emblematic cases of long-term socio-ecological research in Chile; 2) demonstrating the value of these efforts for the integration of research, education and ...

Description: This article discusses field environmental philosophy and biocultural conservation at the Omora Ethnobotanical Park. Abstract: In order to effectively address the problems derived from global environmental change, environmental scientists, citizens and decision-makers now recognize the need to integrate more fully the human or social component into ecological research. The authors propose that to achieve this integration, Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) networks offer an ideal platform, because such sites enable research at ecological, cultural, and political local scales, and at the same time allow addressing these issues at a global scale. However, this socio-ecological work still requires better articulation of programs developed at multiple geographic, ecological and political scales. In addition, until now the social component considered in LTSER programs has focused on economic factors, omitting ethical dimensions. A central reason for this omission is the lack of methodologies to systematically integrate ethics into LTSER programs. As a contribution to resolve this limitation, here the authors develop a methodological approach that the authors call "field environmental philosophy." It integrates ecological research and environmental ethics into biocultural education and conservation through an interrelated four-step cycle: i) interdisciplinary ecological and philosophical research, ii) composition of metaphors, and communication through simple narratives, iii) design ...

Description: This article discusses the seasonal dynamics and distribution patterns of birds associated to the sub-Antarctic wetlands in Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (54-55°S), Chile. Abstract: Little is known about bird ecology in sub-Antarctic ecosystems of the Cape Horn Reserve (CHBR), Chile. The authors examined the role of altitude, seashore distance, lake size, season, and vegetation cover in affecting bird diversity and abundance on Navarino Island (54-55°S, 67°W) in the CHBR. The authors determined avian community composition, species richness and relative abundance for wetlands and their adjacent habitats on a seasonal basis. A total of 56 species belonging to 10 orders and 25 families were recorded, and significant seasonal changes for bird species (P = 0.001) and abundance (P < 0.01) were observed, with 33.9% residents, 48.2% winter migrants, and 17.9% with unknown migratory status. The distance of wetlands from the coastline was the main predictor variable for annual species richness (P < 0.01) and total avian abundance (P < 0.05). Wetlands far from the seashore and at higher altitudes had lower diversity and abundance, although the change in elevation was relatively slight (< 300 m). These data show the seasonal patterns and dynamics, as well as the major underlying mechanisms, for ...

Description: This article discusses environmental ethics and the implications for biocultural conservation and geo-cultural concepts of protected areas.

Description: This article discusses integrating science and society through long-term socio-ecological research. Abstract: Long-term ecological research (LTER), addressing problems that encompass decadal or longer time frames, began as a formal term and program in the United States in 1980. While long-term ecological studies and observation began as early as the 1400s and 1800s in Asia and Europe, respectively, the long-term approach was not formalized until the establishment of the U.S. long-term ecological research programs. These programs permitted ecosystem-level experiments and cross-site comparisons that led to insights into the biosphere's structure and function. The holistic ecosystem approach of this initiative also allowed the incorporation of the human-dimension of ecology and recently has given rise to a new concept of long-term socio-ecological research (LTSER). Today, long-term ecological research programs exist in at least thirty-two countries (i.e., members of the International Long-Term Ecological Research Network, ILTER). However, consolidation of the international network within the long-term socio-ecological research paradigm still requires: (1) inclusion of certain remote regions of the world, such as southwestern South America, that are still poorly represented; (2) modifications of the type of research conducted, such as integrating social and natural sciences with the humanities and ethics; and (3) the incorporation of ...