The role of social mechanisms in local ecological knowledge ( LEK ) for biodiversity conservation in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19004499 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Marshet Girmay Endeshaw (Department of History and Heritage Management University of Gondar Gondar Amhara Ethiopia, corresponding author), Dawit Yosef Agidew (Department of Social Anthropology University of Gondar Gondar Amhara Ethiopia), Tewodros Abuhay Meretu (Department of Civics and Ethical Studies University of Gondar Gondar Amhara Ethiopia) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 356-375 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-16 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Australian Journal of Anthropology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1035-8811 • E-ISSN: 1757-6547 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/taja.70003 |
| OpenAlex | W4409519667 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 54 |
Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) plays an important role in the sustainable conservation of biodiversity, relying on local social values and practices to conserve biodiversity. This article addresses the role of these and other social mechanisms in LEK for biodiversity conservation in the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP). Based on qualitative research, including in‐depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations, our study reveals that the idea of conservation among stewards and faith groups in the SMNP area lies amidst the imposition of western‐oriented conservation practices by international agencies. In particular, local taboos and other aspects of the local worldviews enable the successful application of LEK in the conservation efforts in SMNP. Interestingly, the recent revocation of the SMNP from the UNESCO list of endangered sites in 1996 is the result of the effectiveness of the social mechanisms of LEK. In this article, we argue that the conservation ethos guiding the management of the Simien Mountains should incorporate LEK‐based strategies to avoid conflict and ensure sustainability
Biodiversity · Biodiversity conservation · Biology · Endangered species · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · National park · Sustainability · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology · Ecology
Social Taboos
On the role of traditional ecological knowledge as a collaborative concept
The Links between Protected Areas, Faiths, and Sacred Natural Sites
Indigenous ways of knowing and the study of environmental change
The spiritual ecology of sacred landscapes
Role of religious beliefs of tribal communities from Jharkhand (India) in biodiversity conservation
A Multi-Perspective Reflection on How Indigenous Knowledge and Related Ideas Can Improve Science Education for Sustainability
Sociocultural conservation strategies of prioritized medicinal plants, their historical context and space for integration
The Simen Wild Fauna under the Protection of the Government of Haile Selassie. From Endangered Prey to National Symbol (1941 – 1969) / La faune sauvage du Simen sous la protection du gouvernement d’Hailé Sélassié
Sacred Ecology
Traditional knowledge for climate resilience in the Pacific Islands
Governing Nature and Ethiopia
From sacrilege to sustainability
A political ecology of wildlife conservation in Africa
A new visitation paradigm for protected areas
In the Shadow of the Palms
Spiritual Beliefs and Ecological Traditions in Indigenous Communities in India
Beyond the human
Community-Based Conservation and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Institutional Adaptation and Community-Based Conservation of Natural Resources
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |