Inclusion as an ecological imperative should involve both diverse human communities as well as diverse groups of organisms in conservation and education initiatives. Protected areas offer ideal opportunities for bridging communities and ecosystems. To perform this function, they should include a representative diversity of (1) habitat types (2) group of organisms and (3) disciplines to orient visitors’ appreciation of biological and cultural diversity. To assess whether educational resources aimed at visitors of protected areas in the subantarctic Magellanic region of Chile encompassing a variety of habitats successfully provided (1) information representative of local diversity or were taxonomically biased towards favoring vascular plants, and (2) ecological and aesthetic values in representing dimensions of flora diversity, we examined interpretive trail signs and materials within five public-protected areas (Parque Nacional Pali-Aike, Monumento Natural Cueva del Milodón, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Reserva Nacional Magallanes, and Reserva Parrillar), two multiple-use public areas (Monte Tarn, and Cerro Bandera) and one private-public protected areas (Parque Etnobotánico Omora). We collected photographs and fieldnotes on interpretive trails sampled entirely, excluding signs unintended for visitors.
Results/Conclusions
Excluding Omora Park, only 30 of 110 signs included plants across the surveyed protected and multi-use areas. Only one sign focused on non-vasculars. Aside minimal mention of bryophyte species, there lacked aesthetically focused sign content in their representation. Meanwhile, 57% of mentioned flora were angiosperms often displayed when developing colorful flowers or fruits. Educational material highlighting bryophytes never addressed their ecological, aesthetic, or cultural worth despite being more diverse than vascular plants in the Magellanic region. Such homogenized representations of species are dissonant to actual subantarctic flora composition, where bryophytes' endemism and diversity rates are higher than in other ecoregions of South America. Conversely, Omora Park’s method of “Ecotourism with a Hand-Lens” attempted to counterbalance biases typically observed in representation of regional plant species by focusing visitor attention to diverse, beautiful, and alive ‘miniature forests’ of bryophytes found in the subantarctic region. This activity was designed with the Field Environmental Philosophy (FEP) methodological approach to promote valuation of bryophytes diversity, charismatic colors, textures, reproductive bodies, and further unique appeals on park material. We recommend mimicry of these concepts by implementing miniature forest photography and vibrant bryophyte display in protected areas across Magallanes and other regions of the world. By communicating significant presence and mystique of bryophyte beauty, FEP could strengthen appreciation of visitors and locals in attempts to bridge ecosystems and their human co-inhabitants.