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The challenges of maintaining indigenous ecological knowledge

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dc.contributor.authorMcCarter, Joe, author
dc.contributor.authorGavin, Michael C., author
dc.contributor.authorBaereleo, Sue, author
dc.contributor.authorLove, Mark, author
dc.contributor.authorResilience Alliance, publisher
dc.coverage.spatialMalekula (Vanuatu)
dc.coverage.spatialVanuatu
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T06:54:55Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T06:54:55Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractIncreased 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.
dc.description.sponsorshipPublished with support from the Colorado State University Libraries Open Access Research and Scholarship Fund.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumarticles
dc.identifier.bibliographicCitationMcCarter, Joe, Michael C. Gavin, Sue Baereleo and Mark Love, The Challenges of Maintaining Indigenous Ecological Knowledge. Ecology and Society 19, no. 3, article 39 (2014). http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-06741-190339
dc.identifier.doihttps://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-06741-190339
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/84682
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartofOpen Access Research and Scholarship Fund (OARS)
dc.rights©2014 by the authors. Published here under license by The Resilience Alliance.
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectcultural revitalization
dc.subjectindigenous ecological knowledge
dc.subjectMalekula
dc.subjecttraditional ecological knowledge
dc.subjectVanuatu
dc.titleThe challenges of maintaining indigenous ecological knowledge
dc.typeText

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