Analyzing local opposition to biosphere reserve creation through semantic network analysis: The case of Baekdu mountain range, Korea

Biosphere reserves designate ecologically superior and sensitive areas for local biodiversity and sustainable use. Despite their promised benefits, some areas fail to be designated as biosphere reserves due to opposition by local residents. This study investigates the causes of failed biosphere reserve designation using a semantic network analysis of local resident meetings concerning designation of the Baekdudaegan mountain range as a biosphere reserve. The analysis results reveal that the main topics of discussion were legislation of the biosphere reserve, its administration, and the consultation process. The residents made strong demands on the legislative system and administrative operation, whereas the administrative agency attempted to solve this problem through the consultation process. This suggests that the agency in charge of designating biosphere reserves must first ensure transparency in the legislative and administration operation process, which may not be completely successful through the consultation process. When designating biosphere reserves in future, we recommend that authorities first establish guidelines for transparency in the legislation of regulations and the administrative operation process and obtain the trust of local people for the consultation process.