Social Space and Nature Conservation in the Gerêz-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Portugal/Spain)

The project aims to analyze the social space of nature conservation in the Gerêz-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve at the borders of Portugal and Spain. To do so, it will be necessary to incorporate an entirely new methodology into classical social space studies in order to account for the environmental dimensions of social dynamics. Specifically, advanced geo-spatial analysis combined with ethnographic approaches, will be added to geometric data analysis (mainly, the established methodology for the social space construction). This contribution is based on the parameters of a non-intrusive approach to living conditions proposed by Virgilio Borges' research team at the Institute of Sociology in the University of Porto (Ramos et al, 2021) . The inclusion of the environment into the social space of nature conservation will lead to the development of a new approach to current ecological problems. As a result, the research findings will provide alternatives to understand, prevent, and manage the main conflicts facing sustainable development in the Gerêz-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. In sumary, the social space of nature conservation aims to model the social-environmental interdependencies surrounding a biosphere reserve by a strong synergy of spatial, statistical, and ethnographic methodologies. This social space can be replicated, compared, and improved in its operation in other biosphere reserves of the world.