Social networks analysis in a socio-ecological estuarine system of southern Chile (41,6°S): diagnosis and contributions for the improvement of governance in riparian contexts

Abstract

This work sought to characterize and analyze the structural characteristics of the different types of relationships between the actors involved in the management and usufruct of the resources and ecosystem services of the socio-ecological system of the Maullín River Estuary (SES-Maullín), in south Chile. Using the Social Network Analysis tool and a relational methodological approach linked to a conceptual framework on social capital. To this end, during the spring of 2015, a questionnaire was applied to members of federations of artisanal fishermen, indigenous communities, algueros union, local companies, technical bodies at the communal and regional levels, of the SES-Maullín. The results obtained indicate that the socio-relational system of the SES-Maullín has low centralization of the networks, absence of organizations of high relational representativeness, low density and degree centrality. This suggests low levels of social capital at an inter-personal, intra-organizational and inter-organizational level, together with limited possibilities for the development of different types of knowledge and inter-organizational learning. This situation constitutes an important challenge in the management of the SES-Maullín, especially in terms of territorial learning and the strengthening of local capacities for social resilience and the sustainable management of natural resources.