Network of Landscapes in the Sustainable Management of Transboundary Biosphere Reserves

Joaquin Romano,Byron V Coral,Emilio Pérez-Chinarro

doi:10.3390/land9090320

Abstract

The creation of Transboundary Biosphere Reserves (TBRs) is one of the most outstanding contributions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB). Recent revisions have shown that there is a gap between its biodiversity conservation proposals and the theoretical convergence of nations towards sustainable development goals with the practices in action. By applying the landscape approach to the case study of the rural system of the Spanish–Portuguese border, declared Meseta Ibérica TBR (MITBR), it is verified that the spatial zoning of TBRs is a prominent factor in this gap, since they do not correspond to the landscape units and bioregions. This has led to the formulation and implementation of strategic proposals for the reorientation of TBRs towards the stimulation of landscape networks in the transboundary framework. Agroecological networks in this territory stand out, which brings together one of the highest concentrations of indigenous breeds in Europe. A breeder replacement experience was carried out based on the social networks of the MITBR that protect the landscape. The main conclusion of this article is that TBRs are effective in practice through the promotion of cross-border networks of governance and social participation, and mainly through agroecological ones due to their outstanding effect on biodiversity.

Highlights

Growth limits warned from the 1970s of the worrying expansion of an economic system that distances human activities from their biophysical or natural framework [1]
The mapping of the biophysical and socioeconomic factors of the Meseta Ibérica TBR (MITBR), projected on a territorial, urban, and architectural level, is an outstanding result of the project. It is the first cartography prepared for the study of this territory for the purposes of a Transboundary Biosphere Reserves (TBRs) and that adopts a landscape approach
TBRs is a first indicator of the difficulties that continue to exist in practice regarding the articulation of transboundary strategies that stimulate a change in development, taking into account environmental protection criteria

Summary

Introduction

Growth limits warned from the 1970s of the worrying expansion of an economic system that distances human activities from their biophysical or natural framework [1]. This initiated a long period of experiences and strategies with an insufficient and uncertain result to tackle the unprecedented impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems [2]. The Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) has stood out, and was launched in the early 1970s by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural. The MAB has had an evolution linked to biosphere reserves (BRs) declared in territories that include significant and unique ecological values [3,4]. In them, outstanding progress has been taking place regarding the conservation of natural spaces and biodiversity [3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion