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

Project Information

SSpaceGX

Grant agreement ID: 101102978

DOI

10.3030/101102978

Project closed

EC signature date 17 March 2023

Start date 1 July 2023

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 172 618,56

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SSpaceGX (Social Space and Nature Conservation in the Gerêz-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Portugal/Spain))

Reporting period: 2023-07-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SSpaceGX project (Grant Agreement 101102978, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship) successfully completed all planned activities during the 24-month fellowship period (December 2023 - December 2025) at the Institute of Sociology, University of Porto, Portugal, under supervision of Dr. José Virgílio Borges Pereira. The project achieved its main objective of analysing the social space of nature conservation in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (GXTBR) through innovative integration of Pierre Bourdieu's social space theory with advanced geospatial environmental analysis. This required developing novel methodologies combining Geometric Data Analysis (MCA, PCA, hierarchical clustering), satellite imagery processing (Google Earth Engine), ethnographic fieldwork, and atmospheric science approaches—thereby addressing a fundamental gap in social space studies which traditionally neglect systematic incorporation of environmental variables. The research produced comprehensive multidimensional analysis of socio-environmental dynamics documented across 9 peer-reviewed publications, 5 preprints, and 16 computational outputs with permanent DOIs, validated through verified uptake of 883 downloads from international research communities.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project completed six integrated work packages combining quantitative, spatial, and qualitative methodologies. Data compilation (WP2) strategically expanded from the originally planned 12 GXTBR municipalities (6 Portuguese + 6 Spanish) to all 308 Portuguese municipalities, providing robust national comparative context. Ethnographic fieldwork (WP3) in GXTBR Transition and Buffer Zones identified key agents, capitals, and strategies through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and collaborative mapping with local communities, "Comunidades de Montes," government agencies, and NGOs.

Geometric Data Analysis and geospatial analysis (WP4) integrated MCA, PCA, hierarchical clustering with satellite imagery processing (PM2.5 2019-2025, infrastructure/nightlight 2021-2023) and atmospheric science methodologies (air pollution, critical infrastructure, land use and land cover, wind patterns). This revealed environmental exposure patterns reflect regional atmospheric transport mechanisms beyond local sources—a methodological innovation advancing environmental inequality research.

The main achievement is the "emplaced capital footprints" framework advanced in 5 peer-reviewed articles, bridging Bourdieusian social theory with geospatial environmental analysis. This identified multiple spatial clusters manifesting objectified capital competences across GXTBR, revealing socio-environmental asymmetries in connectivity, industrialization, and urbanization.

Training activities (WP5) included quarterly research sub-group workshops, teaching at 3rd IS-UP International Summer School, and knowledge transfer through 16 computational outputs with permanent DOIs implementing FAIR principles. All mandatory deliverables (Data Management Plan, Career Development Plan, Communication/Dissemination/Exploitation Plan) were submitted on schedule.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Results and Key Innovation
The project develops a framework of emplaced capital footprints, geospatial footprints of capital competences, and extensive objectified footprints, integrating Bourdieu’s social space theory with geospatial environmental analysis. It addresses a core gap: social space research rarely incorporates environmental variables, and environmental studies often overlook social differentiation. By relating anthropogenic emissions and infrastructures (air quality, night-time light, building ages, road networks) to parish-level social composition, the analysis identifies spatial clusters expressing objectified capital competences. These clusters reveal socio-environmental asymmetries in connectivity, industrialization, and urbanization that remain hidden when social and environmental dimensions are examined separately.

Methodological Advance
The project links environmental drivers—wind patterns, atmospheric pollution, seasonal regimes—with socioeconomic and cultural investment dynamics. This shows that environmental inequalities arise from interactions between atmospheric processes, spatial investment patterns, and the positions of social groups in micro-areas, not only from local pollution sources.
The combined use of Geometric Data Analysis, satellite imagery (air pollutants 2019–2025; infrastructure and night-time light 2021–2023), ethnography, and modelling provides a replicable approach for biosphere reserves, enabling non-intrusive assessment of housing quality, infrastructure access, and environmental exposure where surveys are difficult.