The role of scientists at the human-nature interface on MaB protected areas

Abstract

According to the theory of social metabolisms, human-nature interaction can generate “waste” that can act as environmental passives. The impact of scientists’ interaction with nature during their field researches is rarely ever discussed on literature. In this paper, we evaluate the externalities produced by scientific research on fauna based on a zoning system of a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MaB) in order to determine incompatibilities. We assume that the MaB zoning systems could prevent the generation of this type of waste done by scientists. We systematized all documents referred to Ñacuñán MaB Reserve in Argentina (60 years of records) and created a digital library. Afterward, we spatialized the investigations related to fauna and contrasted them with the current zoning system. The results showed that most of the researches were manipulatives and were conducted at the transition zone, followed by the northern core zone. Scientists do not always respect the activities allowed by zone. Sampling sites are frequently selected according to the proximity of their accommodation rather than to the permitted activities. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate new policies to avoid scientists’ liabilities and to encourage the build of knowledge and research on less studied zones, to promote conservation and sustainable development of MaB reserves.