Local ecological knowledge in natural resource management Laxman

Local ecological knowledge in natural resource management Laxman Joshi, Luis Arévalo, Nelly Luque, Julio Alegre and Fergus Sinclair Bridging Scales and Epistemologies Conference, 17 -20 March 2004, Alexandria, Egypt

Rationale n n Rural people depend on natural resources for their livelihood long term use depends on their ability to manage farmers are heterogeneous in terms of their management ability, objectives, dependence, local context, experience and observations In natural science, the emphasis is on practical explanatory and predictive knowledge

Knowledge an output of learning, reasoning and perception and a basis for predictions of future events; it is people’s understanding and interpretation based on some explainable logic of supposedly general validity.

Local Ecological Knowledge local people’s knowledge about elements and about processes and inter-relationship between these elements of their agro-ecosystem.

Knowledge sphere natural “supernatural” process descriptive rules, norms and values perceptions Local knowledge External source Predicting consequences Resource endowments learning decisions action external

Methodology Knowledge-based systems approach Articulation and representation of local ecological knowledge to effectively incorporate local ecological knowledge and local perspective in R&D programs.

Reported study : Indonesia Sumberjaya, South Sumatra n coffee based – sun, shade and multistrata system on slopes n disputed land n mostly local people n long farming experience

Reported study : Peru Pucallpa – Shipibo Conibo community n fishing, hunting and gathering fruits and medicinal plants n farming relatively new n annual flooding (2 -3 months)

Results – Indonesia n n Farmer innovations (terraces, vegetation strips, furrows and compost pits, multi-storey system) turbidity in paddy fields – nutrient source for plants but water flow must be regulated landscape scale – riverside vegetation (roots) for watershed functions Knowledge of other factors – exist but not always practised Key reasons n resource (especially time and labour) constraints n individual efforts not very effective n insecure land tenure – uncertainty

Explanatory knowledge Rainfall intensity Water holding capacity of soil Rain water runoff Trees, bamboos and shrubs Interception of raindrops Turbidity of water in river Roots hold soil Root system Land slope Soil nutrients Litter decomposition shading Soil fertility Ground cover Prevents excessive drying of soil Plant growth Turbidity of water in paddy fields soil erosion Leaf litter Quantity & quality Ground vegetation Turbidity of water in fish pond Soil organic matter Land suitability for different plants earthworms Rainfall duration

Results – Peru n n n Soil fertility related to post-flooding condition of soils - dark non-clayey property and organic content (indicated by crop performance) Knowledge about poor fertility indicator plants [e. g. shuashui (? ), arrocillo (Rottboellia exaltata), gramalote (Brachiaria mutica) Flood tolerant and flood susceptible fruits – but much contradiction among the people Local ecological knowledge about soil resources – less sophisticated Knowledge about fishing and hunting – richer?

Research indicate that LEK n n n n has explanatory aspects, with a logical structure comparable to scientific understanding comes largely from experience holistic and “un-disciplined” notions of description, classification and fertility of soils – lacalized explanatory knowledge and underlying principles can be generalized (regularity across similar agroecosystems) knowledge may not always translate into action – other constraints LEK is not “opaque” - can be articulated and recorded through structured discussions with local people

LEK research in NRM n n focused development imperatives useful for three aspects: n n n Building on local practice Recognizing sophistication of local knowledge (and terminology) for effective communication Realising its limitations – windows for improvement

Ecological knowledge about NRM Scientific K Local K three poorly connected major knowledge systems Policy makers K bridging through dialogue, appreciation, and respect of others’ knowledge systems and further investigation if required