Growing tourism in the Magallanes region of Southern Chile is not only adding to regional economy, but it offers unique experiences to visitors from all over the world looking to connect with of one of the last remaining pristine locations on earth. However, in a global context, development and increased tourism are also escalating environmental impacts. Protected areas in this remote location offer an ideal opportunity for bridging communities and ecosystems, but in order to do so, it is imperative that we address gaps in the expression of information that park visitors are currently receiving. Before we can cultivate care for ecosystems and remote places educational materials need to include diverse habitat types and world regions, different groups of organisms, and interdisciplinary dialogue concerning ethical implications.
The primary focus of this research was to analyze taxonomic bias in interpretive signs concerning fauna in the Sub-Antarctic region of Chile. In December 2018- January 2019, we collected quantitative data on interpretive trail signs in one private-public and five public protected areas. We quantified the ratio of vertebrate vs. invertebrate species. Additionally, we did qualitative analyses about the representation of invertebrates and their relation (or lack of relation) to terrestrial and/or freshwater habitats.
Results/Conclusions
A first remarkable result was the underrepresentation of invertebrates in public protected areas where <1% of invertebrates were included in interpretive signs. A second notable bias was the exclusion of freshwater invertebrates entirely. The third significant result showed that some visitor centers did display invertebrates. However, they were represented in isolation and no reference was made to their life cycles and life habits. These three results are problematic because (i) invertebrates make up >99% of species diversity in the sub-Antarctic Magellanic fauna, (ii) freshwater invertebrates are critical in terms of diversification and their contributions to ecosystem health and water quality, and (iii) many species include both terrestrial and freshwater habitats during different phases of their life cycles. This range and complexity of the Magellanic Sub-Antarctic fauna remains hidden under the current signage system in public protected areas further distancing communities from the environment. To counterbalance these biases we are developing radically inclusive sign designs at Omora Park, a private-public protected area in Puerto Williams, Chile. Importantly, with this method we overcome the “logic of specimen” by placing invertebrates back into their habitat, habits and relations, and begin to shift systems of value to cultivate environmental care and conservation through ecotourism.