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

这一国际学生研究体验(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，该计划融合了生态科学和环境伦理的新颖整合。该项目由美国和智利的合作伙伴，包括北得克萨斯大学(UNT)、智利生态与生物多样性研究所(IEB)和马格兰大学(UMAG)协调，提出了三项主要创新：1)侧重于独特的高纬度地区，与热带和美洲其他低纬度地区相比，研究较少；2)通过实地考察将科学与哲学融为一体；3)通过与美国-智利小型研究小组合作，从多文化的角度看待科学。实地经验的具体重点将放在流域/生态系统层面，从而能够对i)水文和生物地质化学循环、ii)生物多样性评估、iii)土著生态知识和关于生物多样性的社会文化视角、以及iv)与智利南部生物文化多样性教育和生态旅游计划有关的保护进行不同的研究。这一研究-保护体验将主要在合恩角生物圈保护区(CHBR)进行，该保护区是世界上最原始的生态区之一-S，将向学生介绍社会和生态系统与地方、区域和全球规模的保护之间的联系。学生将参与在生物圈保护区和智利其他长期研究地点实施生物文化教育和生态旅游。此外，通过发展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(SEED)项目的国际经验，该项目将有助于多样化的学生队伍，他们将准备有效地应对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.