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

这个学生国际研究经验 (IRES) 项目由 2009 年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法 111-5）资助，邀请学生参与一项研究、教育和保护计划，该计划将生态科学和环境伦理学融为一体。 该项目由美国和智利合作伙伴（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））协调，引入了三项关键创新：1）重点关注独特的高纬度地区，与美洲热带和其他低纬度地区相比，该地区的研究相对较少； 2）通过实地工作将科学与哲学融为一体； 3）通过在美国-智利小型研究团队中工作获得多元文化的科学视角。实地经验的具体重点将在流域/生态系统层面，允许对i）水文和生物地球化学循环，ii）生物多样性评估，iii）本土生态知识和生物多样性的社会文化观点进行多样化研究，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。这种研究保护体验将主要在合恩角生物圈保护区（CHBR）进行，这是世界上最原始的生态区之一，并将向学生介绍社会和生态系统以及地方、区域和全球范围内的保护之间的联系。 学生将参与生物圈保护区和智利其他长期研究地点的生物文化教育和生态旅游的实施。此外，通过美国生态学会在美洲南端的生态教育、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队伍多样化，为有效解决生态社会问题和保护挑战做好准备。

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.