Latinoamérica ante las ciencias de la naturaleza y del medio ambiente. Materiales para una reflexión histórica

The author wishes to put the accent on the importance of the Latin American naturalistic literature, which is so poorly recognized within the Italian scientific milieu. The innovative contributions of two contemporary scientists and thinkers, Eduardo H. Rapoport from Argentina, and Gonzalo Halffter from Mexico are considered as paradigmatic examples. About E. Rapoport, the author discusses his ideas concerning the species’ geographical strategies, and the phenomenon of biogeographical pollution. Regarding G. Halffter, the author underlines his philosophical and scientific path towards a synthesis between ecological and historical factors of biological evolution, together with his approach to global conservation problems and natural resources management strategies – specifically highlighting Halffter’s Biosphere Reserve model. A summarized analysis of the historic background originality of