Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between ecological identity and various social and pro-environmental variables among the inhabitants of Southern Patagonia, comparing groups with internal (Chilote) and external (Croatian) migratory ancestry. A total of 212 individuals participated, selected based on their self-categorization as Magellanic, identifying as descendants of Croatian (n = 71), Chilote (n = 66) or other origin (n = 75). We used a non-experimental cross-sectional correlational design to measure regional identity, pro-environmental attitudes, ecological behaviour, essentialism and regionalism. Findings point to differences in ecological variables between the groups compared. Magellanic participants with Chilote ancestry show a stronger relationship between ecology and identity than those with Croatian ancestry. The findings are discussed in terms of the impact of indigenous cultures on the current relationship of Magellanic inhabitants with their natural environment and the importance attributed to territoriality. Este estudio investiga la relaci & oacute;n entre la identidad ecol & oacute;gica de los habitantes de la Patagonia Austral y diversas variables sociales y proambientales, comparando grupos con ascendencia migratoria interna (chilotes) y externa (croatas). Participaron 212 personas, seleccionadas seg & uacute;n su autocategorizaci & oacute;n como magall & aacute;nicos, identific & aacute;ndose como descendientes de origen croata (n = 71), chilote (n = 66) u otro (n = 75). Se emple & oacute; un dise & ntilde;o no experimental transversal correlacional para medir la identidad regional, actitudes proambientales, comportamiento ecol & oacute;gico, esencialismo y regionalismo. Los resultados revelan algunas diferencias en las variables ecol & oacute;gicas entre los grupos comparados. Los magall & aacute;nicos con ascendencia chilota muestran una relaci & oacute;n m & aacute;s fuerte entre la ecolog & iacute;a y la identidad que aquellos con ascendencia croata. Los hallazgos se discuten en t & eacute;rminos del impacto de las culturas originarias en la relaci & oacute;n actual de los magall & aacute;nicos con su entorno natural y la importancia atribuida a lo territorial.