Box 1 Eligibility criteria

Types of population

Study focuses on human populations in any of the 35 UNESCO biosphere reserves in SEA countries including:

Tonle Sap, Cibodas, Komodo, Lore Lindu, Tanjung Putting, Gunung Leuser, Siberut, Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu, Wakatobi, Bromo Tengger Semeru-Arjuno, Taka Bonerate-Kepulauan Selayar, Belambangan, Berbak-Sembilang, Betung Kerihun Danau Sentarum Kapuas Hulu, Rinjani Lombok, Tasik Chini, Crocker Range, Inlay Lake, Indawgyi, Puerto Galera, Palawan, Albay, Sakaerat, Hauy Tak Teak, Mae Sa-Kog Ma, Ranong, Can Gio Mangrove, Dong Nai, Cat Ba, Red River Delta, Kien Giang, Western Nghe An, Mui Ca Mau, Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An, Langbiang

Study focuses on human populations outside the UNESCO biosphere reserves or outside SEA

Types of intervention

Study involves activities/programs/policies*

*The activities/programs/policies undertaken must align with the stated functions of UNESCO biosphere reserves, having the aim of one or more of the following:

● Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity

● Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable

● Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education, and training

We will include studies which investigate one or more levels of management within UNESCO reserves, e.g., core zone, buffer zone or transition zone

Study does not involve activities/programs/policies aligned with the stated functions of UNESCO biosphere reserves (see opposite)

Types of comparator

Where present, an eligible comparator is the same site before activities undertaken, or a site without activities (we will note whether the site was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve at the time of the comparator), or a site with activities but outside of a UNESCO biosphere reserve

We will include studies even where there is no comparator

Types of study

Studies containing quantitative data (quantitative studies or mixed studies where quantitative data are reported separately)

Qualitative

Mixed studies (qualitative and quantitative data are combined and results are not separated for reporting)

Theoretical articles, commentary and review papers

Types of outcome

Study focuses on one or more following outcome categories, which are established in the systematic map by Eales et al. [14]:

Economic living standard: income, employment, employment opportunities, wealth/poverty, savings, payments, loans

Material living standard: access to and availability of food, fibre, fuel and basic infrastructure (electricity, water, telecommunications and transportation), provision of shelter, assets owned (e.g., television)

Health: Physical health, mental health, balanced nutrition, longevity/life expectancy, maternal health, infant and child health, birth control provisioning, access to health care (antibiotics, transplants), occurrence of diseases, public health infrastructure (e.g., disease prevention, mental health support)

Education: Education infrastructure (access to school, access to training, quality of education, classroom sizes, curriculum relevance and up to date); informal education (transfer of knowledge and skills includes livelihood skills, traditional knowledge and skills); formal education (degrees awarded, students enrolled)

Social relations: Interactions between individuals, within and/or between groups (communities, stakeholders, ethnic groups, gender); degree/frequency of conflict, strength of relationships and connectedness, ability to work together, ability to communicate, engage in debate, trust and help others

Security and safety: Physical security (personal safety and security), security of access to resources; human rights; vulnerability, personal and community resilience and adaptive capacity

Governance: Structures and processes for decision making including both formal and informal rules; includes participation and control in decision making, accountability, justice, transparency of governance

Subjective wellbeing: Measures of happiness, Measure of quality of life,

Measure of personal satisfaction supported by some value of ecosystem(s) and/or resources

Culture and spirituality: Cultural, societal and traditional values of natural resources and nature to the community; sense of home or belonging; cultural identity and heritage

spiritual or religious beliefs and/or values

Freedom of choice and action: Ability to pursue what you value doing and being; Freedom from norms e.g., gender expectations; Freedom of expression of opinion/beliefs

Study does not measure any socio-economic outcomes

Language

Studies published in English and any other languages within the capability of the review team

Studies published in languages outside the capacity of the review team