EcoBRIDGE: Enhancing Conservation of Biosphere Reserves through Interdisciplinary Science, Sustainable Development and Governance of Socio-Ecological Systems

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves serve as living laboratories for sustainability, bringing together biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and human development. Despite this ambition, many Biosphere Reserves continue to face environmental governance challenges linked to limited community participation and weak integration of local knowledge into decision-making processes. Consequently, important perspectives from local communities often remain disconnected from the institutions responsible for managing water, biodiversity, and natural resources.

EcoBRIDGE examines the potential of community-based environmental monitoring to strengthen governance in Biosphere Reserves. Using citizen science as an entry point, the project explores how communities, scientists, practitioners, and reserve managers can jointly generate knowledge about ecosystem change and translate that knowledge into more inclusive and adaptive management practices. Particular attention focuses on water resources, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the governance arrangements that influence their management.

The project will take place in two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: Buenavista Biosphere Reserve in Cuba and Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve in South Africa. It brings together expertise from water sciences, ecology, governance, communication, and citizen science to understand how environmental monitoring can support knowledge co-production, strengthen local stewardship, and create meaningful dialogue between communities and institutions.