When trying to figure out conservation goals the preservation of natural conditions is typically the main point of discussion. Natural conditions refer to the natural state of the ecosystem or environment. But what if “natural conditions” aren’t truly natural?
Historically, colonizers didn’t pay attention to the ecological and cultural histories of the places they settled. As a result, our perception of natural landscapes is skewed. Looking at the environment through this lens gives us an incomplete picture of what the natural landscape is and should be. Therefore, the lack of understanding of the natural world has contributed to our environment’s unsustainable use and mismanagement.
But, what lens should we be looking through? Well, it’s important to consider other accounts and weigh them appropriately. More scientists are taking Traditional Ecological Knowledge into consideration and understanding its critical role in mitigating problems in the face of climate change and loss of biodiversity.
What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge?
Traditional Ecological Knowledge, abbreviated as TEK, is a deep understanding of the environment derived from the conscientious discovery of the world’s systems. This deep understanding was carefully cultivated through the Indigenous peoples who have adapted and survived in tandem with nature. This knowledge is maintained by local culture, closely linked to local ecosystems, and is passed from generation to generation so the knowledge only grows. Indigenous peoples staked their lives on the accuracy and repeatability of their knowledge.
There is a mutualistic relationship between livelihood and sustainability with the environment. Indigenous peoples have a long history of environmental stewardship due to this mutualistic relationship. Traditional Ecological Knowledge may, therefore, be the key to sustainable development processes, as the lives of Indigenous peoples were rooted in producing while maintaining respect for nature. So, this ecological knowledge provides strong backing to conservation and sustainability.
The mutualistic relationship between Indigenous people and nature, in turn, shaped the landscape. Things like intentional burning, tilling, weeding, and hunting had a great influence on the environment. But, not in the negative way we’re used to talking about now thanks to anthropogenic climate change. Because of cultural respect and knowledge, Indigenous peoples used resources sustainably and effectively managed the environment.
How can TEK lead to a sustainable future?
Indigenous peoples view everything as interconnected. Colonizers think that man is separate from, sometimes better than, nature. This couldn’t be farther from the reality though. We rely on the environment for everything. We cannot ignore the services our world provides us nor can we ignore our impact on the world. We must view the environment holistically; we must maintain balance.
Tribal communities have a long history of protecting and conserving ecological landscapes, like water sites, by having rules and regulations in place to avoid deterioration. This is unlike colonizers who have a long history of degrading the environment for profit. Instead, there is a belief system that holds the environment in high regard and the protection of these landscapes is recognized as crucial for the economic, cultural, and environmental well-being of the tribal communities.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge should be the backbone of conservation efforts and sustainability goals. Indigenous ecological management practices can protect the use of resources while maintaining ecosystem stability. The environment can be sustainably renewed and restored through this manner of collective care. Furthermore, through enhanced mindfulness of the natural world, we can effectively problem-solve in the wake of change.
How can we utilize TEK now?
Using Traditional Ecological Knowledge has become a prevalent point of research, in the hopes that we can sustain social and ecological resilience despite climate change and environmental deterioration. The insight and knowledge Indigenous peoples have is immensely valuable, it’s a critical source of inspiration for environmental restoration and management. We should be maintaining the landscape the same way the people who historically managed the land did, due to the influence they had in shaping the environment.
There are some cases where Traditional Ecological Knowledge is being put into use again and with great success. Land managers in Australia have adopted many fire-control practices derived from the Aborigines. Controlled fires create mineral-rich soil, heighten seed germination rates of annual herbs, and increase the reproduction of perennial herbs. Burning also often creates a more diverse ecological community structure which then leads to an increase in plant species diversity.
Furthermore, Native Americans were responsible for increasing the number and types of plant communities in many landscapes in the US. They did this through intentional burning, transplanting, weeding, tillage, and sowing practices. They were also able to increase salmon populations while continuing to use the fish as a resource, by regulating harvests and tracking resource abundance by being highly mobile. This, in turn, prevented overharvest and local population declines while still being used as a critical resource.
Native Hawaiians also knew how to maintain and support fish populations sustainably. They created and maintained fish ponds to stabilize and increase fish populations within the natural environment. This is different from hatchery practices now because they maintained these ponds within the natural environment, allowing small fish to come and go as they pleased. These fish ponds increased plant and wildlife diversity and stability, which provided ample food for the fish. If the fish stayed and got bigger from the increase in available food it wouldn’t be able to leave the pond and would then become food for the community as needed.
We must take heed of these success stories and find a deeper appreciation and understanding of nature if we want to solve climate issues.
Society could hugely benefit from Traditional Ecological Knowledge. All humans benefit from a thriving environment and every person profiting from the Earth’s resources has the job of protecting nature. We cannot continue to view nature as our ticket to short-term profits. The environment is our lifeline. We must bridge the gaps between nature and culture because Western culture as it stands is unsustainable. Human interactions with nature don’t have to be viewed as innately destructive, if we utilize Traditional Ecological Knowledge, we can have a more harmonious and sustainable future.
The world we live in is not as mysterious as many may think, we just to need pay attention. By having a holistic approach to conservation and sustainability goals we may be able to better understand how the world works and create a more positive future. Understanding the original management practices in a changing world, getting inspired to better the community and the land, and maintaining a sustainable way of life is the only way we can move forward.