Ethnoecology and Conservation

Introduction

This course explores the ecological implications of cultural uses of plants. This include the biological basis for, and ecological effects of, traditional and local resource management systems. A variety of ecological methods are used in this course, including population assessment and community analysis.

The steep environmental gradients, extreme environments, and interesting biota make the field-school location an appropriate place to study the ecological aspects of this course. The variety of ethnic groups provide equally interesting opportunities to integrate ecological and cultural studies.

Learning Objectives

  • The principles and diversities of traditional or local resource management (TRM) systems and the relationships between traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and ecological sciences.
  • The ecological significance of plantconstituents useful to people.
  • The ways in which TRM may alter ecological processes at the level of genes, individuals, populations, communities and landscapes.
  • The ways in which TEK and TRM can be applied or integrated into modern conservation and ecological restoration programs.

Topics

  • Introduction to Ecological Ethnobotany
  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
  • Traditional agricultural systems I: principles and concepts
  • Field Trip to Lo`i (Taro Farm)
  • Traditional agricutural systems II: chemical ecology, plant genetics and evolution
  • Management and harvest of wild plant resources I: principles and concepts
  • Management and harvest of wild plant resources II: ecological implications for individuals, populations and communities
  • Aroforestry systems and home gardens I: principles and concepts
  • Agroforestrysystems and home gardens II: implications for ecological communities and nutrient cycling
  • Field trip to Kahana Valley (or Tantalus)
  • Traditional resource managment at the landscape scale
  • Traditional resource managment and biological conservation
  • Conservation and medicinal plants
  • Traditional/ocal resource management and ecological restoration