The challenges of maintaining indigenous ecological knowledge

Bibliographic Data

ID4239231
AuthorsJ Mccarter (0000-0002-3429-4276, Colorado State University), M C Gavin (0000-0002-2169-4668, Colorado State University), Sue Baereleo (Vanuatu Cultural Centre), Mark Love (0000-0002-4413-5236), Mark William Love (0000-0002-0372-1239, The University of Queensland)
Year2014
Volume19
Issue3
Publication date2014-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueConservation Ecology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1195-5449 • E-ISSN: 1708-3087
PublisherResilience Alliance (PUBLISHER • CA)
DOI10.5751/es-06741-190339
OpenAlexW2333506865
LanguageEN
Citations received33
References cited32

Increased interest in indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) has led to concern that it is vulnerable amidst social and ecological change. In response, multiple authors have recommended the establishment of programs for the maintenance and revitalization of IEK systems. However, few studies have analyzed the methods, opportunities, and challenges of these programs. This is a critical gap, as IEK maintenance is challenging and will require layered and evidence-based solutions. We seek to build a foundation for future approaches to IEK maintenance. First, we present a systematic literature review of IEK maintenance programs (n = 39) and discuss the opportunities and challenges inherent in five broad groups of published approaches. Second, we use two case studies from the Republic of Vanuatu to illustrate these challenges in more depth. The first case study takes a community-based approach, which has inherent strengths (e.g., localized organization). It has, however, faced practical (e.g., funding) and epistemological (changing modes of knowledge transmission) challenges. The second case study seeks to facilitate IEK transmission within the formal school system. Although this model has potential, it has faced significant challenges (e.g., lack of institutional linkages). We conclude that supporting and strengthening IEK is important but that serious attention is needed to account for the social, situated, and dynamic nature of IEK. In closing, we use the review and case studies to propose four principles that may guide adaptive and flexible approaches for the future maintenance of IEK systems

Biology · Business · Environmental resource management · Indigenous · Knowledge management · Situated · Computer Science · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Environmental and Cultural Studies in Latin America and Beyond · Indigenous Studies and Ecology · Ecology

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