Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

Despite its ecological significance and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (GX), spanning the border region between northern Portugal and southern Galicia (Spain), faces increasing socio-environmental challenges. However, existing research rarely address...

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Main Authors: Raimundo Elías Gómez, Maria Gabriela Miño, Virgilio Borges Pereira, Carlos Maria Jardón
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Economics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frevc.2025.1463694/full
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author Raimundo Elías Gómez
Maria Gabriela Miño
Virgilio Borges Pereira
Carlos Maria Jardón
author_facet Raimundo Elías Gómez
Maria Gabriela Miño
Virgilio Borges Pereira
Carlos Maria Jardón
author_sort Raimundo Elías Gómez
collection DOAJ
description Despite its ecological significance and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (GX), spanning the border region between northern Portugal and southern Galicia (Spain), faces increasing socio-environmental challenges. However, existing research rarely addresses the interdependences of the social and physical spaces in peripheral regions of protected natural areas. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's concept of social space, this study analyses the spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital footprints in the GX region. The analysis is based on the most recent available data on road networks, nocturnal luminosity, building density, and carbon monoxide emissions (2022–2024), including a longitudinal series for nocturnal radiance (2014–2024). By spatially mapping these variables and integrating spatial quantitative methodologies with ethnographic fieldwork, the study identifies distinct spatial clusters characterized by varying degrees of connectivity, industrialization, and urbanization. The results underscore significant socio-environmental asymmetries and highlight the value of integrating sociological and spatial analyses to link air pollution emissions in physical spaces with competitive dynamics in social spaces. Although currently situated on the periphery of major capital-intensive zones, the GX region is increasingly impacted by tourism-related pressures in some areas, emphasizing the need to reinforce established policy responses.
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spelling doaj-art-b8018f834fd6415dae1d12b363dcd48b2025-08-20T03:12:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Economics2813-28232025-05-01410.3389/frevc.2025.14636941463694Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere ReserveRaimundo Elías Gómez0Maria Gabriela Miño1Virgilio Borges Pereira2Carlos Maria Jardón3Institute of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Porto, Porto, PortugalCONICET, Posadas, ArgentinaInstitute of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Porto, Porto, PortugalDepartment of Applied Economics, Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences, University of Vigo, Vigo, SpainDespite its ecological significance and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (GX), spanning the border region between northern Portugal and southern Galicia (Spain), faces increasing socio-environmental challenges. However, existing research rarely addresses the interdependences of the social and physical spaces in peripheral regions of protected natural areas. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's concept of social space, this study analyses the spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital footprints in the GX region. The analysis is based on the most recent available data on road networks, nocturnal luminosity, building density, and carbon monoxide emissions (2022–2024), including a longitudinal series for nocturnal radiance (2014–2024). By spatially mapping these variables and integrating spatial quantitative methodologies with ethnographic fieldwork, the study identifies distinct spatial clusters characterized by varying degrees of connectivity, industrialization, and urbanization. The results underscore significant socio-environmental asymmetries and highlight the value of integrating sociological and spatial analyses to link air pollution emissions in physical spaces with competitive dynamics in social spaces. Although currently situated on the periphery of major capital-intensive zones, the GX region is increasingly impacted by tourism-related pressures in some areas, emphasizing the need to reinforce established policy responses.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frevc.2025.1463694/fullsocial spacephysical spacecapitalbiosphereGerês-Xurés
spellingShingle Raimundo Elías Gómez
Maria Gabriela Miño
Virgilio Borges Pereira
Carlos Maria Jardón
Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
Frontiers in Environmental Economics
social space
physical space
capital
biosphere
Gerês-Xurés
title Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
title_full Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
title_fullStr Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
title_full_unstemmed Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
title_short Spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
title_sort spatial distribution and classification of objectified capital in the geres xures transboundary biosphere reserve
topic social space
physical space
capital
biosphere
Gerês-Xurés
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frevc.2025.1463694/full
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