Cultural Ecological Theory Research Articles

Research on Packaging Innovation Design of Guangfu Culture Tea Drinks Based on Cultural Ecology Theory

Guided by the cultural ecology theory, this study focuses on the innovative application of Guangfu culture in tea beverage packaging design, aiming to systematically analyze the integration strategy and foundation mode of its integration with tea beverage packaging design, so as to enhance the connotation value of the brand. By breaking down Guangfu culture into spiritual, material and behavioral levels, this study explores the evolution law and trend of each element in the cultural ecosystem, and then proposes specific strategies applicable to tea packaging design. Taking Wuzhou in Guangxi as a case study, this paper verifies the practical value of the method, accurately shows the expression of Guangfu cultural genes in tea drink packaging, and expands the theoretical and practical paths of Guangfu culture tea drink packaging design.

The Trình Tường house of the Bố Y People in Vietnam: A Study on Cultural Heritage and Traditional Architecture

The Trình Tường house (similer Earthen-Walled house), a distinctive architectural form of the Bố Y people in Vietnam, has embodied both cultural and spiritual values, reflecting their ethnic identity. However, modernization, climate change, and the development of tourism have placed immense pressure on the preservation of this traditional architecture. This paper aims to analyze the cultural and architectural values of the Trình Tường house in the modern context while proposing solutions for its preservation and promotion as a cultural heritage. The research was based on qualitative methods, including field observation, semi-structured interviews with Bố Y community members, and comparative analysis of traditional architecture from other ethnic minorities in Southeast Asia and worldwide. The findings revealed that the Trình Tường house was not only a physical structure but also a cultural and spiritual symbol, connecting people with nature and belief systems. However, pressures from modernization and climate change have compromised the sustainability of this architecture. The study contributes to cultural ecology theory and offers specific policy recommendations for preserving the Trình Tường house, ensuring the Bố Y people’s cultural identity, and paves the way for future research on traditional architectural conservation in the current context.

EXPLORING THE ETHNOECOLOGY OF FISHERING COMMUNITIES ON BUYAN LAKE PRESERVATION

This study examines the ethnoecology of fishing communities in the conservation of Lake Buyan,with an analytical focus on the cosmos system, Corvus and daily praxis. This study uses aqualitative descriptive analytical method with a basis for data analysis based on cultural ecologytheory and generative structuralism. Fisherman behaviour data was obtained from distributingquestionnaires using analysis referring to the binary model. This study, which was conducted inMay - August 2023, found that the cosmos system or belief in a divine nature and strong magicalmystical beliefs collaborate to form and strengthen cultural capital, social capital and symbolic capital as one unit with rational and irrational knowledge forming a complex system. Corvus. This conception complements the individual and collective habitus of fishing communities throughconventions as values, norms and rules that are adhered to physically and mentally. The localwisdom of the fishing community underlies every daily practice. Both in understanding andutilizing Lake Buyan in its functions as a source of drinking water, agriculture, socio-cultural/religious, economic, recreation or tourism, and ecology. This praxis is also reflected in the resultsof fishermen's behaviour which is included in the good category with a score of 1.

Ecocriticism and Environmental Awareness in Modern Poetry in Africa

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the ecocriticism and environmental awareness in modern poetry in Africa. Materials and Methods: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study found that poetry aims to raise environmental awareness by depicting the beauty of natural landscapes and the destructive impact of human activity. Ecocritical poetry often incorporates imagery and symbolism that evoke a sense of urgency regarding climate change, pollution, and conservation efforts. By intertwining aesthetic appreciation with ecological consciousness, modern poets not only reflect the environmental crises of our time but also inspire readers to contemplate and engage with ecological issues. This growing trend underscores the vital role of literature in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world, thereby contributing to a broader cultural movement towards environmental sustainability. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Ecocritical theory, cultural ecology theory and reader-response theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the ecocriticism and environmental awareness in modern poetry in Africa. In practice, promoting ecocritical poetry involves integrating it into educational curricula and public discourse. Advocating for ecocritical poetry in policy involves influencing cultural and media practices to amplify environmental voices and perspectives.

The Silk Road: Economic Exchange and Cultural Diffusion in Spain

Purpose: To aim of the study was to analyze the silk road: economic exchange and cultural diffusion in Spain. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The Silk Road facilitated significant economic exchange and cultural diffusion in Spain, connecting it to the wider Eurasian trade network. This ancient trade route enabled the flow of goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals into Spain, enriching its economy and stimulating commercial growth. Beyond trade, the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of ideas, technologies, and cultural practices, influencing art, architecture, cuisine, and religious beliefs in Spain. This cultural diffusion contributed to the diversity and richness of Spanish society, highlighting the route's profound impact on both economic prosperity and cultural development. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: World-systems theory, diffusion of innovations theory & cultural ecology theory may be used to anchor future studies on the silk road: economic exchange and cultural diffusion in Spain. Develop practical insights into historical trade routes, understanding their impact on local economies, infrastructure development, and urbanization patterns. Recommend policies for infrastructure development along historical trade routes to enhance connectivity, trade facilitation, and regional economic integration. Advocate for policies to preserve and promote cultural heritage along the Silk Road, fostering tourism, education, and cultural exchange opportunities.

Large-scale cultural heritage conservation and utilization based on cultural ecology corridors: a case study of the Dongjiang-Hanjiang River Basin in Guangdong, China

In the field of world heritage conservation, there has been broad consensus on carrying out heritage conservation research on the basis of spatial integration and interregional and international cooperation. However, there are still many deficiencies in the integration of culture with the environment, regional economic and social development, and the regional, holistic and multimodal conservation and utilization of cultural heritage sites. In China, the Dongjiang-Hanjiang River Basin is a representative area of substantial cultural and ecological value for both Guangdong Province and the whole country. This paper uses the morphological spatial pattern analysis and the minimum cumulative resistance model to integrate cultural ecology sources and establish a cross-regional and large-scale cultural ecology network system that includes 1 main corridor, 22 important corridors and 17 secondary corridors. In addition, based on identified cultural landscape nodes and cultural ecology services, the economy of the cultural ecology corridor could be developed with large-scale co-construction, co-governance and shared working mechanisms to overcome administrative limits and realize the conservation and utilization of multimodal and large-scale heritage sites. This approach has strong theoretical and practical significance for innovative methods in cultural ecology research, as well as for new content in the research of Lingnan culture, ecosystem restoration, and the economic and social development of towns and villages. This article supplements unilateral studies of regional culture and ecology and demonstrates an in-depth application of cultural ecology theory.

Tourism Impact on the Cultural Heritage of Countries in the Middle East

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to explore the tourism impact on cultural heritage of countries in the Middle East.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the tourism impact on cultural heritage of countries in the Middle East. Preliminary empirical review revealed that tourism has both positive and negative effects on the region's cultural heritage. While it significantly contributes to the economy and fosters cultural exchange, it also poses challenges such as overcrowding and cultural commodification. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices and responsible heritage management. Cultural ecology, cultural conservation, and dependency theories provided valuable frameworks for understanding this complex relationship. The findings benefit policymakers, site managers, local communities, and the tourism industry by guiding the development of strategies that protect cultural heritage while harnessing tourism's economic potential, contributing to a more balanced approach to tourism development in the Middle East.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Cultural Ecology Theory, Cultural Conservation Theory and the Dependency Theory may be used to anchor future studies on cultural heritage. The study suggested a set of comprehensive recommendations. These recommendations emphasize the importance of heritage conservation and responsible tourism practices. They include the development of robust heritage management plans, enhanced visitor education, and community engagement. Encouraging tourism diversification, sustainable infrastructure development, and capacity building are also essential. Furthermore, the study highlights the significance of ongoing research, marketing strategies that promote cultural richness, and intergovernmental coordination. By implementing these measures, Middle Eastern countries can achieve a harmonious balance between cultural heritage preservation and the economic benefits of tourism, ensuring the long-term sustainability of both.

Study on the Revitalisation of Red Cultural Resources in Landscape Design of Shaoxing city Based on the Theory of Cultural Ecology

Red cultural resources are an essential part of China's cultural heritage system, which is of great significance for the inheritance of national culture and the promotion of national spirit. Taking Shaoxing city as an example, this paper uses the cultural ecology theory to explore the revitalisation strategy of red cultural resources in landscape design. Firstly, a literature review of research in related fields is conducted, including the protection and inheritance of red cultural resources, cultural ecology theory, landscape design theory and so on. Secondly, the theory of cultural ecology is introduced, and its applicability and advantages in the study of red cultural resources revitalisation are elaborated. Then, the overview of red cultural resources in Shaoxing city is introduced, including types, distribution, and protection status. Then, combined with the theory of cultural ecology, it analyses the protection and inheritance of red cultural resources in Shaoxing city and discusses its application value and significance in landscape design. Finally, strategies and suggestions for revitalising red cultural resources in Shaoxing city are proposed, including protection and management, landscape design and tourism development. The research in this paper has important theoretical and practical significance for promoting the protection and inheritance of red cultural resources and improving the cultural connotation of landscape design.

PERSEBARAN BANGUNAN DAM DI BALI PADA ABAD KE-20

The Ethical Politics implemented by the Dutch at the beginning of the 20th century was an effort made to "give back" to the Indonesian State. Bali, as a Dutch colony, was also influenced by the policies of this political system. The construction of the dam is one of the things that indicates this. This research was conducted to answer what factors influenced the Dutch in building a dam, and whether there was a connection with irrigation activities carried out by pre-colonial Balinese society. The research method used in this research is a qualitative method, this method prioritizes comprehensive observation of a phenomenon. Primary data to answer these problems was obtained through a process of literature study, interviews, and observation. The data that has been collected is then processed using contextual and descriptive-qualitative analysis. Cultural ecology theory and location theory are also used in this research to assist the author in interpreting phenomena found in the field. The results of this research show that there are several factors that influence the construction of a dam, namely ecological factors, and cultural sustainability. This means that in building a dam the Dutch colonial government still paid attention to the pre-colonial Subak civilization.

Harnessing the Power of Indigenous Zulu Music to Promote Language, Culture, and Diversity

Indigenous Zulu music is a reflection of the Zulu people’s cultural and environmental surroundings, incorporating natural sounds and rhythms that highlight their close relationship with nature. This article explores how this music promotes language, culture, and diversity within the Zulu community. Drawing on Cultural Ecology Theory, which underscores the link between culture and the environment, the study examines how Zulu music adapts to these contexts. Methodologically, this qualitative study relied on secondary data from accredited scholarly sources, including journals, books, online government bulletins, and academic databases. The systematic review process ensured data reliability and validity, emphasising the role of indigenous Zulu music in preserving language and cultural identity. The findings reveal that Zulu music, through its songs and performances, celebrates the Zulu language and conveys significant stories and myths. This cultural expression serves as a means of preservation, ensuring the continuity of Zulu heritage. Moreover, the article discusses how integrating Zulu music into modern contexts sustains cultural diversity in South Africa. By blending traditional and contemporary music, Zulu musicians broaden their audience and share their cultural richness. This integration fosters cultural sustainability and dialogue, enriching the cultural landscape. In conclusion, indigenous Zulu music plays a vital role in preserving language, culture, and diversity among the Zulu community. Through its celebration of language and cultural heritage, Zulu music fosters intercultural understanding and represents the cultural richness of the Zulu people.

Research on the Realistic Dilemma and Optimization Path of Early Childhood Teachers' Professional Development from the Perspective of Cultural Ecology

Cultural ecology is an emerging interdisciplinary discipline that applies the methods of ecology to the study of culture, and is a science that studies the existence and development of culture and its laws. As teachers are located in different cultural environments, their professional development is inevitably influenced by the local natural and social-cultural ecology at the time. This paper analyzes the relationship between cultural ecology and teachers' professional development orientation, elaborates on the orientation and connotation of early childhood teachers' professional development based on baseline research, analyzes the real-life dilemmas of early childhood teachers' professional development, and explores the optimal path of early childhood teachers' professional development by combining the main points of cultural ecology theory in order to promote their professional growth.

Understanding the Impact of the First Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Access to Education of Roma Communities in Ukraine Using Ogbu’s Cultural-Ecological Theory

The global COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and in some cases exacerbated the already precarious education of Roma children in Ukraine. This study aims to understand how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the education of Roma children by taking a wider look at structural issues affecting the Roma community. Using mixed methods in the form of interviews with stakeholders and a survey, this paper will engage in the larger structure-agency debate through the lens of Ogbu’s cultural-ecological theory, Foster’s enhancements of it, and Crenshaw’s idea of intersectionality. The results show that between March 2020 and June 2020 the most vulnerable people in society were the ones most negatively impacted by the lockdowns and secondary effects of the pandemic. Underlying structural issues, underfunded and segregated schools with non-inclusive curriculums, intergenerational inequality, the digital divide, language barriers, intersectionality, and the pandemic’s negative impacts on Roma parents are some of the causes that Roma families reported as barriers which keep Roma children from being able to access education. However, with the agency Roma individuals have, they chose how to respond to structural oppression. This paper also demonstrates the harmful impacts of stereotypes that deem a culture to be innately resistant to education. Throughout this paper, there is a nuanced discussion which engages with previous research and theories and applies them to the new data, in order to provide a general understanding of topics that have not been heavily researched.

Inheritance Patterns under Cultural Ecology Theory for the Sustainable Development of Traditional Handicrafts

Culture is the fourth pillar of sustainable development. The protection of intangible cultural heritage is an important way to safeguard the transmission of intangible heritage across generations. With the help of cultural ecology theory, this paper compares cases of inheritance and development in two different handicrafts: Bai tie-dyeing and Beijing carved lacquer. The results show that under the influence of different cultural ecologies, the family inheritance pattern of Bai tie-dyeing, and the master–apprentice inheritance pattern of Beijing carved lacquer have undergone qualitative changes in modern society. This paper puts forward the distinction between representative inheritance and group inheritance and suggests a protection mechanism accordingly. This paper further suggests that a modern mentoring model should be promoted as the inheritance pattern to further aid handicraft development, and a clear division of economic interests is also appointed to apply with the premiumization development and mass development.

A Study on the Evolution of Tibetan Dwelling Form in Luhuo County from the Perspective of Cultural Ecology Theory

A Study on the Evolution of Tibetan Dwelling Form in Luhuo County from the Perspective of Cultural Ecology Theory

Quantifying Surplus and Sustainability in the Archaeological Record at the Carthaginian-Roman Urban Mound of Zita, Tripolitania

Cultural ecological theory is applied to a spatially and temporally bounded archaeological data set to document long-term paleoecological processes and associated sociopolitical behaviors. Volumetr...

The Evolution of Dysfunction

Cultural ecological theory has typically assumed that evolutionary processes lead inevitably to the emergence of positive functions and useful adaptations (Vayda, Harris, Durham, Barkow, Adams). But biologists are aware that dysfunctions, as well as positive functions, may result from evolution. In both biology and anthropology, dialectical models are better able to incorporate dysfunctional evolutionary trends. In this paper, a “thought experiment” illustrating dysfunctional evolutionary processes is provided. The strengths, and weaknesses, of using biological ideas as “creative analogies” for cultural processes are discussed. We need to pay more attention to the evolution of dysfunctions and to the emergence of contradictions in cultural systems.

Digital Application of Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of Cultural Ecology

This paper explored the digital application of intangible cultural heritage from the perspective of cultural ecology. Through field investigations, combined with cultural ecology theory, an ontology-based semantic web technology was proposed, and Nanjing "Yunjin" brocade weaving technique was selected as the research object. The specific steps were as follows: First, based on the field surveys and cultural ecology theory, the intangible cultural ecological environment was divided into natural and social environments. Next, constructing the intangible cultural heritage ontology was constructed, including the collection and collation of Nanjing Yunjin weaving technique knowledge corpus, based on user needs analysis and corpus analysis, CIDOC CRM was used to create rules to build the ontology. Finally, based on the MediaWiki platform and Semantic MediaWiki, the semantic web model of the intangible cultural heritage was designed, and its semantic retrieval function was realized, thereby achieving the practical application of intangible cultural heritage digitization. Based on the perspective of cultural ecology, a set of intangible digital application models was proposed, which expanded the digital application of the cultural ecology theory, verified the application of this model in the sustainable development of cultural tourism, and provided reference for the sustainable development of cultural tourism.

Review of Research on Characteristic Tourism Resources Exploitation in Sichuan Province

With the rapid development of tourism in China's Sichuan Province, research on the development of tourism resources in Sichuan has drawn increasing attention from the academic community. This article briefly reviews three aspects of the literature on the development of tourism resources in Sichuan: a survey and evaluation of Sichuan tourism resources, the development of tourism resources that are characteristic of Sichuan, and the development of tourism resources in Sichuan. The current situation of the development of Sichuan's tourism resources was considered and seven factors were evaluated: tourism in ancient towns, tourism in ethnic areas, folk tourism, eco-tourism, rural tourism, red tourism and earthquake tourism. The article also addresses the development of tourism resources in Sichuan. Most existing studies of the development of tourism resources in Sichuan are based on applied research; they are deficient in both scope and depth, and cannot serve as a basis for the development of theory. Few studies have focused on market demand for tourism, the establishment of management mechanisms or the development of regional cooperation. In the future, tourism theories like space theory for space competition, RMP analysis theory, cultural ecology theory, and other tourism theories should be closely integrated with the development of tourism resources in Sichuan. Whether the subject matter is sustainable development, market demand, management mechanism construction, regional collaborative development or other concerns, this will allow more systematic, in-depth studies that produce improved results that are both pertinent and realistic.

Ecology + Anthropology = Ecological Anthropology?

An attempt is made to summarize the emergence and evolution of a sub-territory in anthropology, namely ecological anthropology. First the name of this discipline is considered, that deals with the interrelationship of culture and nature from cultural ecology to human ecology concluding to ecological anthropology. Here the word ecology appears in an attributive compound suggesting that it is a field of anthropology using ecological concepts as well. The second part of the article provides a brief history of the discipline from the beginnings (determinism, possibilism) through the emergence of the cultural ecology theory by Julian H. Steward and the work of neo-evolutionists (White, Sahlins, Harris), to the most ‘ecological’ investigations of the neo-functionalists (Vayda, Rappaport, Moran) who introduced the use of the category ecosystem in their research. The latter concept is analysed a bit more in details, mainly with the work of Roy Rappaport in the focus. The third part presents the different approaches of the last 30 years, ranging from environmental history up to radical ecology. It emphasizes the importance of ethno-science and cognitive anthropology, which appear in ecological anthropology in the fifties (Conklin) and flourish up today. Finally the process of ‘sacralisation’ of the research in ecological anthropology is outlined, namely the emergence of spiritual ecology and the investigation of traditional ecological knowledge which can help in resources management of the modern world just as well.

КУЛЬТУРНО-ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ТЕОРИЯ И ЯЗЫКОВОЕ ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ ЦЫГАНСКИХ ДЕТЕЙ

The paper presents results from language testing of 70 Roma children from Bulgaria - pupils of grade 1, studying in one of the biggest Roma settlement’s schools in Sofia, “Fakulteta” district. The children were tested using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. The test measures language comprehension and language production of the children at the beginning and end of the school year. Between the first and second testing, the teaching methodology in instruction for the children was changed - a Roma assistant teacher whose task was to use the mother tongue of the children as a communicative tool was introduced to the classes. The results of the children during the second testing were substantially better and they are discussed in the light of the theory of the American anthropologist J. Ogbu, who developed his cultural-ecological theory (CE) in the 1980s. The results of the children are analyzed via dispersion analysis using ANOVA. According to Ogbu’s CE theory, the school success of minority children depends on the attitudes of the society at large and the level of community support. The paper also briefly discusses the reason why the de-segregation of the Roma children and their integration into mainstream schools in Bulgaria has largely proved to be a failure.