Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study argues that a critical element in the success of an ecosystem service (ES) approach at any level is the higher qualitative valuation of local traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). As such, the objectives of this research were to illustrate the role of TEK in agroecological systems in Peru and to develop recommendations about this type of knowledge acquisition. The data were gathered using interviews and focus groups with subsistence farmers along with key informant interviews to elicit TEK at local and regional scales in five provinces in the Lake Titicaca region of Puno, Peru. Qualitative analysis revealed dominant themes of TEK provided by farmers and key informants, and how this knowledge can enhance the application of an ES approach for environmental management. Climate variability, predicting the timing of seasonal changes, water availability, and adapting the agricultural calendar and agricultural techniques were all central themes. This research concludes that environmental management decisions in the Puno region of Peru are being informed and improved through the use of TEK. Supporting previous research, we propose that agroecological systems, at their core, need to respect the integrity and sanctity of TEK and value it properly within any practical solution for environmental resource management.EDITED BY John Parrotta
Highlights
The modern-day concept of ecosystem services (ESs) initially emerged in the 1970s through a dialogue between biology and economics, in an effort to better manage the relationship between humans and nature (Lele et al 2013)
Trying to understand how traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) relates to the practice of local environmental management is extremely complex
When TEK is integrated into these approaches, it expands our understanding of the hallmarks and characteristics that environmental management projects need to be sustainable
Summary
The modern-day concept of ecosystem services (ESs) initially emerged in the 1970s through a dialogue between biology and economics, in an effort to better manage the relationship between humans and nature (Lele et al 2013). The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) defines ES as ‘the functions and products of ecosystems that benefit humans,’ and categorizes these services into four broad types: provisioning (e.g. the production of water and food), regulating (e.g. the control of climate and flood), cultural (e.g. spiritual and recreational benefits), and support services (e.g. soil formation, primary production). Since its emergence, this concept has become the foundation for a diversity of literature that measures, assesses, and values aspects of human reliance on nature for the sake of conservation and sustainable resource use (Lele et al 2013). The IPBES even highlights the importance of TEK in its fourth operating principle: ‘Recognize and respect the contribution of indigenous and local knowledge to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems’ (IPBES 2016)
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