Search Results (203)

The Sonora Estuarine Biocultural Corridor (CBES) is made up of six coastal wetlands with mangrove forest, internationally certified as Ramsar Sites. Four are part of indigenous territories whose inhabitants have serious development lags and low water security. Five are within one or more of six irrigation districts of national relevance. The objective is to learn about the socio-environmental problems of the CBES, focused on the issue of water, as well as community proposals for solutions. Intercultural, mixed methodology approach. Prospecting visits were carried out in the six estuaries of the CBES, and 84 semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from all social sectors who know the problems of the CBES in three (out of six) estuaries associated with indigenous territories. The main problem is centered on the issue of water: they receive contaminated water from agroindustry, aquaculture, and the municipal service; the fresh water of the rivers is almost nil, rainfall has decreased while the heat increases, and marine and terrestrial biodiversity decreases. This affects the food and economic security of the local population and generates conflicts between the different productive activities. A multisectoral organization that integrates the six estuaries would improve community wellbeing and, in turn, climate resilience. Full article

The Bignoniaceae family encompasses numerous species of ecological, medicinal, and cultural significance, yet its ethnobotanical value remains underexplored in many regions of Thailand. This study investigates the diversity, phenology, cultural relevance, and traditional uses of Bignoniaceae species in Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern Thailand. Through semi-structured interviews with 260 local informants across 13 districts—alongside field observations and herbarium voucher collections—we documented 27 species across 21 genera. These integrated methods enabled the identification of key culturally significant species and provided insights into their traditional uses. Phenological data revealed clear seasonal patterns in flowering and fruiting, aligned with the regional climatic cycle. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices—including Species Use Value (SUV), Genera Use Value (GUV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Cultural Importance Index (CI), and Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI)—were employed to evaluate species significance. Results indicate that species such as Dolichandrone serrulata, D. spathacea, and Oroxylum indicum hold high cultural and practical value, particularly in traditional medicine, spiritual practices, and local landscaping. These findings underscore the critical role of Bignoniaceae in sustaining biocultural diversity and emphasize the urgency of preserving traditional botanical knowledge amid environmental and socio-economic change. Moreover, the insights contribute to broader efforts in cultural heritage preservation and biodiversity conservation across tropical and subtropical regions. Full article

This study examines the agroecology and bioculturality of Oxalis tuberosa Molina, in the Montúfar canton, Carchi province, Ecuador, an area where this Andean tuber is cultivated at altitudes above 3000 m and in soils with a pH between 5.3 and 7.8. The research was conducted in the Producampo Producers Association, composed of 33 active members, of which 87.5% are women, with an average age of 51.25 years. Oxalis tuberosa constitutes an important crop in their integrated agroecological production systems (IAPSs): the production of bio-inputs in SIPA systems is predominantly self-sufficient, with 75% of producers using exclusively their own organic fertilizers, mainly compost and vermicompost, and showing low dependence on external inputs, whether organic (12.5%) or chemical (25%); the latter are applied in small doses of about 5 kg every six months in secondary crops. The research adopted a mixed methodological approach, integrating semi-structured interviews for qualitative analysis using Atlas.ti and descriptive statistical analysis with specialized software. Of the total Oxalis tuberosa production, 80% is intended for personal consumption and 20% is sold at local markets. Cultivated ecotypes include “blanca” (70%) and “chaucha” (30%), both of which are resistant to pests but susceptible to frost. Families dedicate between 32 and 80 h per week to production, with an average of 56 h. The findings highlight the potential of Oxalis tuberosa to improve the food resilience of Andean communities and suggest that revaluing this crop and its traditional practices can improve agricultural sustainability in the region. Full article

Gastrodia elata, known as Tianma in Chinese, is a valuable medicinal and nutritional resource. The favorable climate of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, China, facilitates its growth and nurtures rich biocultural diversity associated with Tianma in the region. Local people not only cultivate Tianma as a traditional crop but have also developed a series of traditional knowledge related to its cultivation, processing, medicinal use, and culinary applications. In this study, field surveys employing ethnobotanical methods were conducted in Yiliang County, Zhaotong City, from August 2020 to May 2024, focusing on Tianma. A total of 114 key informants participated in semi-structured interviews. The survey documented 23 species (and forms) from seven families related to Tianma cultivation. Among them, there were five Gastrodia resource taxa, including one original species, and four forms. These 23 species served as either target cultivated species, symbiotic fungi (promoting early-stage Gastrodia germination), or fungus-cultivating wood. The Fagaceae family, with 10 species, was the most dominant, as its dense, starch-rich wood decomposes slowly, providing Armillaria with a long-term, stable nutrient substrate. The cultural importance (CI) statistics revealed that Castanea mollissima, G. elata, G. elata f. flavida, G. elata f. glauca, G. elata f. viridis, and Xuehong Tianma (unknown form) exhibited relatively high CI values, indicating their crucial cultural significance and substantial value within the local community. In local communities, traditionally processed dried Tianma tubers are mainly used to treat cardiovascular diseases and also serve as a culinary ingredient, with its young shoots and tubers incorporated into dishes such as cold salads and stewed chicken. To protect the essential ecological conditions for Tianma, the local government has implemented forest conservation measures. The sustainable development of the Tianma industry has alleviated poverty, protected biodiversity, and promoted local economic growth. As a distinctive plateau specialty of Zhaotong, Tianma exemplifies how biocultural diversity contributes to ecosystem services and human well-being. This study underscores the importance of biocultural diversity in ecological conservation and the promotion of human welfare. Full article

Human migration has driven transformative shifts in agricultural systems by reshaping how communities relate biologically and culturally to the land. Migration demands the reconfiguration of preexisting human–environment relationships, a process central to agricultural history. Understanding adaptation strategies is essential for land studies as it highlights the impact of cultural persistence on agricultural practices and the potential challenges in integrating migrant rural knowledge with local ecological systems. In the late 19th century, a significant migration wave occurred from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy to southern Brazil, significantly impacting Brazilian agri-food production. This study investigates the biocultural adaptation strategies employed by the first Veneto communities in their new Brazilian environment. Data for this research were derived from the letters sent by Veneto migrants from Brazil in the initial wave of Italian migration (1877–1894). Utilising Critical Discourse Analysis and Sentiment Analysis of migrants’ letters, we explored the Veneto settlers’ perceptions of the Brazilian landscape, agri-food production practices, and culinary traditions. Our findings show that the Brazilian environment was perceived as predominantly negative, particularly in the wilderness areas. The initial Venetian migrant settlement exhibited no genuine biocultural adaptation strategies. Instead, they deliberately resisted Brazilian influences, striving to reproduce Veneto’s agricultural model verbatim in their new surroundings. The study also opens a new trajectory in historical ethnobiology, thus suggesting new potential applications of the analysis of migrants’ letters. Full article

Fungal biodiversity and ethnomycological knowledge are fundamental components of the biocultural identity of communities within the La Malinche National Park (PNM), a region of ecological and cultural significance in Mexico. This study documented the diversity of wild fungi and their uses in San Miguel Canoa, Puebla, through field excursions with local mushroom gatherers, interviews, and qualitative analysis. Key species such as Russula delica, Boletus aff. edulis, and Amanita basii were identified, playing a vital role in local gastronomy with traditional recipes like mole and pipián. Intergenerational knowledge transmission, crucial for identifying edible fungi and avoiding intoxications, highlights the importance of oral tradition. However, deforestation, illegal logging, and land-use change threaten fungal diversity, a problem exacerbated by the lack of effective conservation policies. The discussion highlights the interplay between biodiversity and culture, emphasizing the significance of the Wild Mushroom Fair organized by the Yolaltepetl collective as an effort to disseminate ethnomycological knowledge and promote the conservation of the PNM. Such community-driven initiatives represent a sustainable model that integrates environmental protection with cultural strengthening. The study concludes that protecting the PNM requires a holistic approach, merging ecological conservation with the recognition of biocultural knowledge. This is essential to preserve both biodiversity and cultural heritage, ensuring their sustainability for future generations. Full article

Biosphere Reserves (BRs) represent dynamic spaces where the interdependence between nature and people is actively shaped and preserved. These territories serve as living laboratories for sustainable development, blending conservation efforts with local knowledge and cultural traditions. This paper explores how BRs exemplify the interconnection between ecological resilience and biocultural heritage, demonstrating the value of integrating traditional practices into contemporary sustainability frameworks. Using insights from the Memories of Biosphere Reserves project, which has collected over 370 testimonies from Portugal, Brazil, and São Tomé e Príncipe, this study highlights the role of memory and storytelling in reinforcing socio-ecological resilience and informing participatory conservation governance. By documenting personal experiences, traditional land-use practices, and community perceptions, these testimonies foster empathy, intergenerational learning, and ethical engagement with the environment. They also provide crucial knowledge for environmental stewardship and community-driven sustainability strategies. The article further examines the transformative role of digital technologies, open science, and artificial intelligence in preserving and disseminating biocultural heritage. Through georeferenced digital archives and participatory research, communities safeguard their cultural and ecological heritage, ensuring knowledge transmission across generations. By positioning BRs as models for integrated conservation and development, this paper underscores the importance of interconnected socio-ecological systems in achieving sustainability goals. The findings suggest that valuing and preserving biocultural heritage within BRs not only strengthens community identity and resilience, but also provides actionable pathways for addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Full article

Mountain forestscapes are among the planet’s most vital socio-ecological systems, functioning as critical reservoirs of biodiversity, regulators of climate, and essential sources of water and livelihood for surrounding and downstream communities. However, these landscapes face intensifying threats from climate change, land-use transformation, resource extraction, unsustainable tourism, and fragmented governance. While sustainable forest management has provided essential frameworks for conservation, its focus on maintaining existing conditions is increasingly insufficient amid accelerating ecological and social decline. This paper explores the conceptual and practical evolution from sustainability to regeneration in mountain forest management, distinguishing between the theoretical foundations of each paradigm and analyzing the key drivers of degradation across diverse biocultural regions. Methodologically, the study employs a transdisciplinary and qualitative design, integrating critical literature synthesis, comparative regional analysis, and Indigenous and local knowledge systems. A structured review of 72 peer-reviewed sources and ethnographic materials was conducted, combined with a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of mountain case studies from the Alps, Carpathians, Andes, Eastern Arc Mountains, and Himalayas. The study synthesizes regenerative strategies such as ecological connectivity restoration, agroecological landscape design, participatory watershed management, and adaptive, polycentric governance. Based on these insights, an integrated framework for regenerative mountain forestscape management is proposed, aligned with global policy agendas including the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, nature-based solutions (NbS), and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. By prioritizing ecological renewal, cultural continuity, and community agency, this work contributes to transformative, place-based approaches that restore the functionality, resilience, and integrity of mountain landscapes. Full article

Faith and conservation are deeply entangled in the Himalayas. Focusing on a single Hindu community in Darchula, Nepal, we investigate the forms of governance used to manage an extensive sacred forest on a nearby mountain and five smaller community forests at its base. To understand the effects of these different models of governance, we use a mixed method approach to examine two indicators of biocultural diversity: forest resource use and spiritual practices. These data reveal a concentrated human impact on the community forests through the harvesting of plant resources, while the sacred forest receives a far smaller impact from these activities. The community considers the sacred forest and mountain to be the home of a local god, who is worshiped in annual pilgrimages attended by people throughout the region. Spiritual practices in the community forests are more localized, small-scale, and associated with women’s traditions. From a biodiversity perspective, the sacred forest appears useful for conservation because of its large size and the spiritual governance that protects it from most human impacts. In terms of biocultural diversity, however, the two forest types play complementary roles in supporting biocultural heritage: the community forests provide the resources required for daily life, while the sacred forest nourishes identity, embodies communal history, and upholds the fertility of the land. The two forest types ultimately blend together in the ways that they are valued and used by people, showing that only a landscape-level perspective can provide a full understanding of the links between forest and community. Full article

This study focuses on the interplay between ecological, demographic, and developmental factors while examining the changes in wild greens (WGs) uses in Corfu from 1970 to 2024. A comparative analysis of historical and contemporary datasets reveals a decline in WG species from 58 (belonging to 47 genera and 18 families) in 1971 to 42 species (37 genera, 16 families) in 2024. The reduction in cropland and, therefore, the herbaceous vegetation has significantly contributed to this loss, alongside urbanisation, demographic shifts, and the rise of tourism-driven economies. Changes in climatic factors, like a 1.5 °C increase in temperature and reduced rainfall, further affect plant biodiversity. Shifts in the occupations of local populations (from farming to touristic services), the declining role of women-centred foraging, and the pervasive influence of formal botanical education may have altered the cultural landscape of WG use. This study underlines the urgent need to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss and sustain cultural heritage. Full article

The significance of traditional agroforestry systems in preserving and enhancing tropical forest biodiversity in landscapes dominated by human activities has recently been recognized. We assessed the role of traditional vanilla cultivation on sustaining plant diversity in the tropical forests of northern Veracruz, Mexico. We analyzed the composition, alpha (Shannon and Simpson exponential) and beta diversity, the structure (stem density and basal area) and types of regeneration of woody plants across different vanilla production systems, including traditional vanilla plots, the agroforestry production of vanilla, the citrus–vanilla system, and fragments of tropical rain forest. Our findings revealed that traditional vanilla plots preserve 67% of the woody plants’ richness, with an alpha diversity similar to that of the forest fragments. The similarity between vanilla production systems and vegetation fragments was less than 30%. Traditional vanilla plots accounted for 34% of the basal area and had a stem density similar to that of the forest, while retaining 25% of shade-tolerant species. These results suggest that traditional vanilla plots are key landscape elements for conserving plant diversity and supporting the ecological functions of tropical forests. Full article

Edible flowers (EFs) form a special group of food plants that serve a pivotal role in local food systems, both in their utilitarian value and cultural significance. Dali, renowned for its rich biocultural diversity, is home to various ethnic groups with unique traditions regarding the consumption of EFs. However, systematic and comprehensive ethnobotanical studies of EFs are lacking, and their biocultural significance has not been discussed. Through ethnobotanical surveys conducted in 15 markets across Dali, 163 taxa of EFs were documented, encompassing 56 families and 108 genera. They were consumed in 16 ways and as 5 types of food. Quantitative evaluations using the Relative Occurrence Frequency (ROF) and Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) assessed the local importance of these flowers. Comparisons were made with another site regarding flower-eating species and methods, revealing biocultural differences. The study highlights how these flowers contribute to local dietary practices and cultural traditions. The role of EFs in sustainable food systems (SFS) is discussed, with emphasis on their economic, environmental, and social impacts. Protecting biocultural diversity means maintaining reciprocal relationships between people and edible species, which are crucial nodes in local SFS. Full article

The Chilean palm (Jubaea chilensis) is an endangered and culturally important species from central Chile. We studied the Ocoa palm landscape (OPL), which is currently part of a protected area that harbors the largest Chilean palm population where local peasant practices have been excluded and conflict with biodiversity conservation strategies. We explored how human–landscape relationships over time have shaped present conditions and the implications for biocultural conservation. Methods included a review of archaeobotanical and historical records, and a qualitative study focused on local peasants’ perspectives. We reported the uses of J. chilensis and the OPL since pre-Hispanic times. For the last 400 years, these uses have involved important differences between landowners and local peasants in terms of power dynamics, access to the land, and intensity of use. The current palm landscape structure directly responds to past human activities, such as palm felling and agriculture. Also, we explain peasant practices linked to the OPL as ways of resisting cultural homogenization and marginalization associated with reductive conservation approaches and other presses and pulses. Chilean palm conservation can be improved by considering ecological legacies to inform future conservation strategies and adding a biocultural approach that respectfully integrates local peasant knowledge systems and worldviews. Full article

Wild edible trees (WETs) play an important role in the diet of many rural communities. Therefore, research on their use and management is important to support both food sovereignty and local conservation of biocultural resources. We evaluated the different uses of WETs by the community of Zacualpan, Colima, in western Mexico, through 32 semi-structured interviews registering the species richness, plant parts consumed, and non-food uses. Additional information was collected on their management, availability, and forms of preparation. We used a cultural salience index to determine the food importance of the WETs mentioned. We registered 33 edible tree species (26 wild, 3 native crops, and 4 exotic crops) that were most commonly consumed as fruits or seeds. WETs were also used for fuel, live fences, timber, handicrafts, medicine, shade, fodder, poles, utensils, construction, tanning, soap, and paper. Pithecellobium dulce had the highest food salience, followed by Spondias purpurea, Leucaena esculenta, Leucaena leucocephala, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, and Jacaratia mexicana. Salient wild trees were collected in the wild and promoted in agroforestry systems. These trees provided food during the dry season and also had the highest number of additional uses. Promoting the biocultural value of WETs and their sustainable use can favor ecosystem conservation and local food sovereignty. Full article

In many southern African protected areas, religion and culture strongly influence how people initiate, adopt, or oppose conservation initiatives. If conservationists are unable to effectively engage with local communities, the result is often poor participation and failed conservation programs, particularly those operating under Western colonial paradigms. Contemplative inquiry has recently emerged as a promising relational, embodied, and dialogical approach to community engagement that also supports decolonial processes. This paper explores decolonial, relational and contemplative approaches to community-based fieldwork in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Included are reflections on ethnographic interviews with Batswana conservation practitioners whose research lies at the intersection of Euro-Western environmentalism and an African relational ontology. This humanities-science transdisciplinary exploration challenges normative boundaries between intellectual territories and engages civil society beyond academia. It aims to “undiscipline” religion and conservation science, make a measurable contribution to conservation practice, and connect diverse knowledges in academia and civil society to address real-world ecological challenges. Full article