US-Chile IRES: Integrating Ecological Sciences and Environmental Ethics for Biocultural Conservation in the Temperate Sub-Antarctic Region of Southwestern South America

这个国际学生研究经验（IRES）项目是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的，邀请学生参加一个研究、教育和保护项目，该项目将生态科学和环境伦理结合起来。该项目由美国和智利合作伙伴协调，包括北德克萨斯大学（UNT）、智利生态与生物多样性研究所（IEB）和麦哲伦大学（UMAG），该项目引入了三个关键创新：1)重点关注独特的高纬度地区，相对于热带和美洲其他低纬度地区研究较少；2)通过实地考察，实现科学与哲学的融合；3)通过在美国和智利的小型研究团队中工作，从多元文化的科学视角出发。实地经验的具体重点将放在流域/生态系统层面，允许对i)水文和生物地球化学循环进行不同的研究，ii)生物多样性评估，iii)土著生态知识和生物多样性的社会文化观点，以及iv)与智利南部生物文化多样性教育和生态旅游计划相关的保护。这一研究保护经验将主要在世界上最大的自然保护区之一合恩角生物圈保护区（CHBR）进行。并向学生介绍社会和生态系统之间的联系，以及在地方、区域和全球尺度上的保护。学生将参与生物圈保护区和其他智利长期研究地点的生物文化教育和生态旅游的实施。此外，通过在美洲南端开展美国生态学会的生态教育、发展和可持续发展战略（SEEDS）项目的国际经验，该项目将有助于使学生骨干多样化，他们将准备好有效地解决生态社会问题和保护挑战。

This International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) project, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), invites students to participate in a research, education and conservation program that incorporates a novel integration of ecological sciences and environmental ethics. Coordinated by US and Chilean partners, including the University of the North Texas (UNT), the Chilean Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB) and the University of Magallanes (UMAG), this project introduces three key innovations: 1) a focus on a unique high latitude area, comparatively less studied than tropical and other lower latitude regions of the Americas; 2) the integration of science and philosophy through field work; and 3) multicultural scientific perspectives by working in small US-Chilean research teams. The specific foci of field experiences will be at the watershed/ecosystem level, allowing diverse studies of i) hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, ii) biodiversity assessments, iii) indigenous ecological knowledge and socio-cultural perspectives on biodiversity, and iv) conservation linked to education and ecotourism programs of biocultural diversity in southern Chile. This research-conservation experience will take place mainly at the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (CHBR), one of the world?s most pristine eco-regions, and will introduce students to the links between social and ecological systems and conservation at local, regional, and global scales. Students will participate in the implementation of biocultural education and ecotourism in the biosphere reserve and other Chilean long-term research sites. In addition, by developing international experiences with the Ecological Society of America's Strategies for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) program at the southern end of the Americas, this project will help diversify the cadre of students who will be prepared to address eco-social problems and conservation challenges effectively.