Biodiversity loss is a current major environmental problem at a global level. However, given the
complexity and interdependency between social-ecological systems, integrated strategies, that combine
biodiversity conservation with other environmental and socio-economic goals, are necessary. Biosphere
reserves are multifunctional landscapes, designated by UNESCO, that are ideally managed in a
participatory way to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. However, despite
there are biosphere reserves designated all over the world, their realization has been limited. Research
effectiveness has been mainly focused in investigating specific
processes or only include the perspectives of experts. This work uses a more holistic approach to
investigate the factors that are important for the success of biosphere reserves.
Building on a systematic literature review of the scientific literature, I found that factors related with
categories context, inputs, processes and outcomes that interact at different scales. Relationships
between subcategories were analysed using multivariate statistics, and three groups of papers identified,
which are associated with the goals of biosphere reserves: biodiversity conservation, sustainable
development and capacity building. There were also identified gaps in the literature, which limit a more
comprehensive understanding. In order to determine what lessons for the success of biosphere reserves
can be drawn from the implementation of grassroot approaches, a multiple case-study research with 35
semi-structured interviews was conducted in the Paul do Boquilobo Biosphere Reserve, the Janas
Ecovillage and Minga Multisector Cooperative. The analysis of how the initiatives started, their
governance, management and outcomes allowed to conclude that the initiatives represent different
sustainability pathways and to draw recommendations to increase the success of the biosphere reserve.
This research provides important contributions for the management of social-ecological systems,
including the conservation of biodiversity, and for the success of biosphere reserves: (1) at a conceptual
level, the multi-dimensional framework developed allows to identify the trade-offs, synergies and
conflicts associated with the management of social-ecological systems; (2) recommendations were
developed for the implementation of the MAB Programme, the Paul do Boquilobo Biosphere Reserve,
Janas Ecovillage and Minga Multisector Cooperative; and (3) a research agenda is proposed, to
contribute to advance inquir
