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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Conserv. Sci.

Sec. Conservation Social Sciences

Barriers and facilitators of behavior change for the sustainable harvesting of Sphagnum magellanicum moss in southern Chile

Provisionally accepted
Eduardo Leiva-PintoEduardo Leiva-Pinto1,2*Cecilia AlarcónCecilia Alarcón3Viviana TartakowskyViviana Tartakowsky4Manuela ZúñigaManuela Zúñiga5Alfonso Benítez-MoraAlfonso Benítez-Mora5Jaime HerreraJaime Herrera5Carolina A. LeónCarolina A. León5*
  • 1Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • 2Centro de Estudios Históricos y Humanidades , Magíster en Género e Intervención Social, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
  • 3Magíster en Psicología Clínica, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
  • 4Escuela de Psicología , Magíster en Género e Intervención Social, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
  • 5Center for Research in Natural Resources and Sustainability, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile

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Abstract This article addresses the critical global challenge of promoting sustainable practices for the use of renewable natural resources. In this research this is studied by analyzing the barriers and facilitators of behavior change in the sustainable harvesting of Sphagnum magellanicum moss in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. This study fills a significant knowledge gap by exploring how to design and implement interventions that enhance individual and collective capability to manage resources. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research draws on two complementary theoretical frameworks: Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model and Michie's Behavior Change Wheel (COM-B system). The findings reveal emergent categories within the COM-B framework, highlighting specific barriers and facilitators to the adoption of pro-environmental behaviors. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the intricate interplay between these factors and the hierarchical systems of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model. This research provides practical information for policy makers and practitioners seeking to foster sustainable behaviors, contributing to global efforts in environmental conservation, and sustainable resource management.

Keywords: Pro-environmental behaviors, Sustainable practices, Barriers and facilitators, Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, Behavior change wheel, COM-B system

Received: 21 Aug 2025; Accepted: 28 Nov 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Leiva-Pinto, Alarcón, Tartakowsky, Zúñiga, Benítez-Mora, Herrera and León. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence:
Eduardo Leiva-Pinto
Carolina A. León

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary Material