Ecological Knowledge Research Articles

Can indigenous peasants of Central Kalimantan live viably while conserving their forest lands?

Purpose This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a community-based non-timber forest products (NTFP) enterprise, or CBNE, within the indigenous peasant communities in Manuhing Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. This includes assessing the potential for generating featured agricultural products from the region. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive qualitative study that integrates ethnographic methods into the SLA analysis, to investigate the feasibility of a CBNE approach within an indigenous peasant community. A number of 13 peasant groups, which comprise 251 members, from the seven villages in Manuhing Raya participated in the study. Findings The CBNE approach, when combined with One Village One Product method, is considered appropriate for the determination of featured agricultural products in a local community. In addition, the SLA analysis in this study contributes to identifying vulnerable aspects of CBNE development in the local communities, including weaknesses in social cohesion, leadership and entrepreneurial orientation. Research limitations/implications Efforts to preserve the rainforest lands in Central Kalimantan cannot be excluded from the involvement of the local peasant communities. The best livelihood strategy in this case is to adopt a CBNE approach. This shall be made possible by empowering the peasant communities to revive their local wisdom of Upun Pambelum, which means forest lands are their primary resources for life. Practical implications This study highlights the importance of using ethnographic investigation prior to the implementation of a CBNE development. Originality/value The implementation of the CBNE approach should take into account socioeconomic aspects of the local community, especially the presence of social cohesion, leadership roles and entrepreneurial orientations. In addition, the study demonstrates the potential of integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern business models in CBNEs.

Local ecological knowledge reveals an undocumented population of Reeves’ butterfly lizard (Leiolepis reevesii) in Zhuhai, China

Though widespread and categorized as least concern by the IUCN Red List, Reeves’s butterfly lizard (Leiolepis reevesii) is considered critically endangered in China. Up-to-date data are warranted to inform future assessments and conservation measures. Through local ecological knowledge surveys and corroborated by field surveys, we discovered an undocumented L. reevesii population on Qi’ao Island of Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. This discovery is the first record of the species in the Pearl River Delta since the early 2010s and represents the only remaining population from the vicinity of its type locality. It was reported to be very rare on the island now and has been extirpated from most of its previous range due to overharvesting, habitat loss and degradation. Our findings also raised concerns about the erosion of local ecological knowledge among local communities. Urgent conservation action and education campaigns are required to prevent further declines and raise awareness of this important and threatened population.

Finding the Nexus between Gender-Based Violence and Conservation

This review paper explores the complex and multifaceted relationship between gender-based violence (GBV) and conservation efforts, emphasizing the interconnected challenges faced by rural communities. It analyzes how GBV undermines conservation outcomes by limiting women’s participation, eroding traditional ecological knowledge, exacerbating resource exploitation, and weakening community resilience. Drawing on case studies from Northern Ghana, India, and Tanzania, the paper highlights how environmental issues such as resource scarcity, displacement, and conservation-related conflicts increase the vulnerability of women to GBV. The review also discusses strategies for addressing these challenges, including empowering women, integrating gender considerations into conservation policies, and creating safe environments for participation. Finally, it calls for more research into the links between GBV and conservation, urging the development of targeted interventions that address the root causes of both GBV and environmental degradation. By integrating gender-sensitive approaches, conservation initiatives can achieve more equitable and sustainable outcomes for all community members. Keywords: Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment, Social Cohesion, Ecological Knowledge, Sustainable Resource Management

Bridging Knowledge and Data Gaps in Odonata Rarity: A South Korean Case Study Using Multispecies Occupancy Models and the Rabinowitz Framework

Accurate assessment of species rarity and conservation status requires an approach that integrates data-driven models with established ecological knowledge. In this study, we applied multispecies occupancy (MSO) and latent factor multispecies occupancy (LFMSO) models to estimate the occurrence of 133 Odonata species in South Korea. Using the model outputs, we implemented the Rabinowitz rarity framework to conduct data-based rarity assessments, which were then compared with known ecological information, including geographic ranges, habitat preferences, regional Red List statuses, and citizen science observations. Our findings reveal both alignments and discrepancies between these data-driven rarity assessments and traditional ecological knowledge. For example, species classified as near threatened (NT) or vulnerable (VU) on the regional Red List generally corresponded with high-rarity classifications based on the Rabinowitz framework. However, significant inconsistencies were identified, particularly for certain lentic Odonata species traditionally considered common. These results suggest that spatial biases in field surveys, combined with limited access to data on legally protected species, can impede accurate rarity assessments. These findings underscore the need for standardized survey protocols and improved data-sharing policies for sensitive species to reduce biases and enhance the reliability of rarity assessments. This is essential for effective conservation planning and biodiversity management in freshwater ecosystems.

Site‐specific weed management on organic grain farms using variable rate seeding and data driven simulation

AbstractIntegrated weed management is integral to organic farming, with increased crop seeding rates as one effective weed suppression tactic. Precision agriculture, which uses guidance and sensor technologies to direct site‐specific management, could allow for targeted weed management using variable seeding rates. On farm precision experimentation (OFPE) can be used to predict site‐specific sub‐field weed biomass response to a range of varied crop and cover crop seed rates across whole fields to provide decision support directly to farmers. We used OFPE to compare five simulated precision seeding strategies to either maximize net return or minimize weed biomass. Five site‐years of OFPE data were collected from organic farms in Manitoba, Canada and Montana, USA. Seeding rate, weed biomass, crop yield, topographic variables and other remotely sensed data were collected on a 10‐m grid to model yield and weed response to seeding rates for each field. Simulated site‐specific variable seeding rate net returns improved upon farmer chosen uniform seeding rate net returns on average by $115 ha−1. When variable seeding rates were optimized to minimize weed biomass, simulated weeds were reduced on average by 10 kg ha−1 relative to the farmer chosen uniform seed rates. A combined variable rate approach which balanced net return and weed minimization improved both net return and weed suppression compared to farmer‐chosen seeding rates in every site‐year. The various seeding rate strategies represent different methods from which farmers can choose to implement OFPE to optimize sub‐field‐specific planting rates and to increase their field‐scale ecological knowledge.

Non‐breeding home range and habitat use by European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) in northwest Liberia: apparent resilience to forest degradation?

Identifying population drivers of migratory birds requires knowledge of species' ecology throughout their annual cycle. For most Afro‐Palaearctic migratory species, little is known about non‐breeding habitat use, despite extensive land use change in non‐breeding areas of sub‐Saharan Africa being a key factor implicated in population decline. We radio‐tracked 54 Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca at two sites of differing levels of forest disturbance, in Liberia, western Africa, over three non‐breeding seasons to determine home range size and site fidelity, and describe habitat and tree species preference within home ranges. We found high territory fidelity both within and between years, and a preference for well‐wooded landscapes. We found that Pied Flycatcher presence was positively associated with large and mature trees, and areas with a higher density of trees. Pied Flycatchers preferred several tree species that were uncommon within home ranges, and several non‐native tree species likely to support a high invertebrate abundance. Pied Flycatchers preferentially selected areas burnt in the same or previous winter, possibly related to enhanced food resources associated with vegetation regrowth following burning. We also found no significant difference in home range size between sites and similar habitat associations despite differences in habitat disturbance. This suggests that human‐modified habitats may remain suitable for Pied Flycatchers, as long as they retain moderate tree cover, especially larger, taller and more mature trees, whether native or non‐native.

Land of wolves, school of shepherds: the importance of pastoral knowledge on co-existence with large carnivores

ABSTRACT The wolf (Canis lupus) is recovering and recolonizing its historic range in Europe. In places where wolves have long been absent, their recent recolonization could potentially provoke extensive livestock farmers’ opposition. To understand the conditions for extensive grazing-wolf co-existence, we conducted interviews with livestock farmers and shepherds to compare three Spanish regions in different wolf presence states: uninterrupted wolf presence, recent wolf recolonization and sporadic wolf presence. Our results show the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) for reducing conflict and enabling co-existence. In areas where wolves were extinct and have been recently recolonized, loss of TEK has led to less of both tolerance to wolves and awareness of the benefits they provide. Conversely, in areas where wolf presence has been uninterrupted, maintaining the TEK associated with livestock management, such as use of mastiff dogs and shepherd's role, has favored the co-existence of extensive grazing systems with wolves. Our findings have important implications for the EU Common Agricultural Policy by highlighting the urgent need to integrate the close link between TEK and the co-existence of extensive grazing systems with large carnivores. Furthermore, the EU Nature Restoration Law could reinforce these same approaches.

Social‐ecological memory: From concepts and methods to applications

AbstractSocial‐ecological memory (SEM) may be a key source of resilience in social‐ecological systems (SES), allowing for renewal and reorganisation after disturbances. This study provides an overview of the genesis and evolution of the SEM concept, its research trends and gaps, and its potential applicability to geographical thought. Combining systematic review and bibliometric analysis, we collected 219 records published in the last two decades, which were reduced to 87 relevant records after applying the inclusion/exclusion criterion. The results indicate that interest in SEM research is growing, but wide acceptance and concordance around terminology are still lagging. The concept has substantially evolved and expanded over the last decade but remains mostly abstract and conceptual. Research has focused predominantly on European countries, rural contexts, and westernised societies, identified multiple disturbances and ecosystem services as driving the maintenance and evolution of SEM, and highlighted an unequal interest between social and ecological memory carriers. Our review underlines the strong pertinence of the SEM concept for the study and management of social‐ecological systems, which would benefit from the development of application strategies and tools. In the future, researchers should seek to expand the idea of social‐ecological memory into an applied field having clearer links and boundaries with more established concepts important in geography, among them traditional ecological knowledge.

Is Boiling Bitter Greens a Legacy of Ancient Crete? Contemporary Foraging in the Minoan Refugium of the Lasithi Plateau

Wild greens (WGs) play a significant role in Mediterranean diets (MDs), reflecting botanical and cultural diversities, mainly influenced by a complex conglomerate of local human ecologies. This study investigates local ecological knowledge (LEK) linked to traditional gathering and consumption of WGs in the Lasithi Plateau of eastern Crete, where human genetic studies one decade ago showed very peculiar patterns, hypothesising that the Minoan civilisation took refuge there before it disappeared. A field ethnobotanical study was conducted to document the diversity of WGs and their detailed local culinary uses in the Lasithi area by interviewing 31 study participants. Fifty-nine folk taxa (species and subspecies) were recorded, corresponding to fifty-eight botanical taxa. A quotation index was measured to assess the cultural significance of WGs in the study areas; logistic regression analysis was adopted to understand the impact of sensory classifications of WGs and their local cooking methods. Lasithi’s foraging showed a notable prevalence of bitter-tasting WGs, which play a central role in local cognition and culinary practices. This bitterness aspect of WGs, potentially influenced by cultural preferences and genetic factors, probably suggests a connection to the ancient Lasithi’s inhabitants, i.e., Minoan dietary habits. We found that bitterness is the predominant sensory attribute in Lasithi, characterising 45.76% of the WGs. These findings underscore the complex interplay between local ecologies and biodiversity, LEK, and dietary traditions, highlighting the importance of WGs in understanding the evolution of foraging and plant culinary diversities across the Mediterranean.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of the Arctic Cultural Circle in Three Ethnographic Works from China, Russia, and Canada

This paper analyzes the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) within the Arctic Cultural Circle by comparing three influential texts: the Russian travelogue Dersu, the Trapper (1923); the Canadian memoir People of the Deer (1952); and the Chinese novel The Last Quarter of the Moon (2005). By examining these texts, which depict the Indigenous cultures of the Nanai, the Ihalmiut, and the Ewenki, the study identifies shared ecological perspectives. These include an emphasis on the sacredness of nature, as seen in their animistic worship and spiritual connection to the environment; a holistic relationship between humans and nature, characterized by a wise and sustainable use of resources and a minimal sense of ownership; and a sense of reciprocity among all living beings, fostering mutual care and respect within the natural world. The paper further contends that the TEK of the circle offers valuable reference for addressing contemporary environmental and social challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss, particularly in the context of modernization and globalization.

Understanding Ecosystem Services through Managers' Perspectives: Insights from the Portuguese Biosphere Reserves

Defined as the benefits derived from nature to humans, the Ecosystem Services (ES) concept clarifies how ecosystems contribute to human well-being. Despite its relevance, integrating this concept into decision-making processes remains a challenge. Participatory approaches have proven crucial in developing mechanisms for managing, conserving, sustainably using and valuing ES. This work aimed to analyse the perceptions of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves’ (BR) managers regarding the ES provided by these territories through a participatory workshop. During the workshop, each participant specified the most relevant ES provided by the BR. The study identified three key ES: "Cultivated terrestrial plants (including fungi, algae) grown for nutritional purposes", "Characteristics of living systems that enable scientific investigation or the creation of traditional ecological knowledge" and "Characteristics of living systems that enable education and training". Additionally, participants discussed perceived threats, opportunities and potential solutions to enhance the value of these key ES in these areas. "Climate change" and "Pollution" were identified as the most significant threats, while "Climate adaptation", "Quality of life" and "Sustainable agriculture" emerged as the main opportunities. Solutions to address threats and maximise opportunities include the establishment of a closer, systematic and articulated relationship within BR to promote sustainability and resilience. Overall, the workshop was positively evaluated and deemed productive. It was also considered a powerful tool to foster collaboration towards a more holistic promotion of BR' sustainable governance, benefitting the environment, communities and the economy.

Indigenous Inland Fisheries Development and Management in India

This paper provides a comprehensive review and analysis of indigenous inland fisheries development and management practices in India. Drawing on extensive literature review and case studies, it examines traditional ecological knowledge, community-based management systems, and the integration of indigenous practices with modern scientific approaches. The research highlights the diversity of inland fisheries across India's varied ecosystems and the critical role of indigenous communities in sustainable resource management. Key challenges including overfishing, habitat degradation, and socioeconomic pressures are analyzed. The paper proposes policy recommendations to support and scale indigenous management practices while addressing conservation needs. Findings underscore the importance of participatory, culturally-appropriate approaches that leverage local knowledge for inland fisheries development in India.

Mapping essential juvenile habitats of exploited marine fish: Complementary insights from a scientific survey-based model, fishers’ knowledge and fisheries-dependent data

In the Bay of Biscay (BoB, Northeast Atlantic), a preexisting habitat suitability model (HSM) fitted on ecological scientific trawl survey data with restricted partial coverage revealed the concentration of Young of the Year (YoY) common sole (Solea solea) on restricted coastal and estuarine nurseries. To extend the nursery map of sole in the BoB to zones where survey data are lacking and fit with the sole population and stock management extent, we crossed HSM, fishers’ ecological knowledge (FEK) and fisheries-based (FB) data. FB and FEK data also complemented knowledge on juvenile sole habitat and seasonal migration. Thirteen fishers with potential knowledge about the YoY sole distribution were directly interviewed. Direct interviews included both information about the location of juveniles and YoY distribution mapping. With good consensus among fishers, FEK allowed the identification of four new areas hosting essential juvenile habitat for the common sole, revealed the accuracy of the HSM model outside the spatial coverage of the ecological survey, and provided spatial refinement. The FB observation data confirmed the locations of the essential juvenile habitats given by FEK and the spatial distributions of YoY densities predicted from the scientific data. In addition, FB confirmed the seasonal migration of YoY sole, which was preliminarily hypothesized from a local and short-term survey-based study. Our results emphasized the local accuracy of FEK. These findings also underlined the interest in combining several sources of data and methods to map essential fish habitats outside areas well covered by ecological scientific surveys, on order to inform future spatial management measures.

3D dataset generation using virtual reality for forest biodiversity

ABSTRACT While forest biodiversity faces a concerning decline, modern technology presents promising avenues for mitigation. However, a critical gap persists in reconciling ecological knowledge with the technical expertise required to use state-of-the-art technologies in 3D data classification. Currently, one main issue is the scarcity of 3D datasets for biodiversity, particularly within the context of machine learning applications. Unlike the straightforward classification of human-made structures, forest environments are uniquely intricate and nuanced due to its inherently complex nature. This study addresses this challenge by introducing a fully automated pipeline for tree stem 3D point cloud segmentation, focussing on a biodiversity indicator: tree-related microhabitats (TreMs). Furthermore, our research advances the field by demonstrating that machine learning models trained with labels generated by our proposed virtual reality (VR) method, Labelling Flora, yield predictions statistically similar to the traditional desktop-based labelling methods. This implies that existing 3D datasets could be augmented using the more rapid approach of VR labelling. Additionally, the findings of this paper demonstrate the potential integration of VR and immersive technology into the 3D labelling workflow, facilitating a quicker and more intuitive labelling process. This could empower users, who are non-familiar with 3D modelling, to contribute their expertise to the segmentation process.

Considerations for enhancing participation and data accuracy in geospatial research in rural areas: experiences with PGIS in northern Malawi

ABSTRACT Rural environments are experiencing rapid changes that must be explored to understand, enhance, and facilitate positive changes and adapt to detrimental changes. However, the information researchers can obtain about the environment to identify effective management strategies for rural resources is hindered by several factors. Participatory geospatial research presents an approach that integrates local voices to map the facts and values of rural people and represent environmental changes. Here, we draw on more than six years of participatory geospatial research in rural northern Malawi to identify and present various considerations that participatory geospatial researchers and planners should be mindful of when working with rural people to enhance participation in research and improve spatial data accuracy. Based on experiences using various research methods and activities applied in several transdisciplinary collaborative research projects, we posit that rural geospatial researchers should keenly consider i) ethical issues concerning data collection, analysis, and representation, e.g. taboos and sacred spaces, ii) integrating local spatial ecological knowledge of people about the environment, and iii) economic conflicts and gender dynamics that tend to disempower and limit participation in research and affect data quality. Considering these would build rapport between participants and researchers to facilitate active participation and data accuracy.

Stronger biogeographical pattern of bacterioplankton communities than biofilm communities along a riverine ecosystem: a local scale study of the Kaidu river in the arid and semi-arid northwest of China

Although the biogeographical pattern and mechanisms underlying microbial assembly have been well-explored in lentic ecosystems, the relevant scenarios in lotic ecosystems remain poorly understood. By sequencing the bacterial communities in bacterioplankton and biofilm, our study detected their distance-decay relationship (DDR), and the balance between deterministic and stochastic processes, along the Kaidu river in an arid and semi-arid region of northwest China. Our results revealed that bacterioplankton and biofilm had significantly contrasting community structures. The bacterioplankton communities showed a gradually decreasing trend in alpha-diversity from the headwater to the river mouth, contrasting with the alpha-diversity of biofilm communities which was constant along the river length. Both bacterioplankton and biofilm showed significant DDRs along the 500-km river corridor with the slope of the bacterioplankton DDR being steeper than that of the biofilm DDR, which implies a stronger biogeography of bacterioplankton than biofilm. Relative to biofilm communities, the species interactions formed a denser and more complex network in the bacterioplankton communities than in the biofilm communities. Our results also revealed that there was a transition of community assembly from deterministic to stochastic processes upstream to downstream, although both the bacterioplankton and biofilm communities were mainly regulated by deterministic processes within the entire river. All these empirical results expand our knowledge of microbial ecology in an arid and semi-arid lotic ecosystem.

Citizen science promotes knowledge, skills and collective action to monitor and protect freshwater streams

Abstract Citizen science has great potential to foster ecological knowledge, skills and collective action for biodiversity conservation. To date, however, there are few experimental studies of behaviour change outcomes induced by citizen science. We assessed the effects of citizen science in ecological stream monitoring on participants' individual and collective behaviour and action intentions to protect streams beyond the immediate scope of the citizen science project. For this we applied a three‐wave, quasi‐experimental survey design with a citizen science treatment group (N = 213 participants of the project FLOW in Germany) and two control groups (waiting control group: N = 92, panel control group: N = 250). In addition, we analysed citizen science effects on potential predictors of freshwater conservation behaviour, such as knowledge, skills, awareness of stream stressors and group identification. Results of linear mixed‐model analysis showed that, compared to the control groups, citizen scientists significantly increased their objective stream‐related knowledge, their self‐reported stream monitoring skills and their awareness of stream stressors. These changes remained stable 6 weeks after the citizen science intervention. Notably, citizen scientists also reported increased identification with their citizen science project group and higher levels of collective and personal behaviour to protect streams at posttest (e.g. contacting local politicians with ideas for stream protection or using biodegradable detergents). Analysis revealed that increases in group identification and collective stream protection behaviour were significantly correlated. We could show that the citizen science intervention was particularly effective for participants with high intrinsic motivation and for those with low prior knowledge and experience in stream monitoring. Synthesis and applications. Citizen science can serve as a useful tool to promote ecological understanding, awareness and collective action to conserve freshwater streams. By fostering volunteer skills and community building, citizen science projects can empower participants with different levels of experience to engage in freshwater monitoring and protection. Decision makers should actively support approaches for citizen participation in freshwater monitoring, recognising that collective engagement of diverse community members is needed to finally meet the European Water Framework Directive's goal of restoring the good ecological status of freshwater ecosystems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

An intelligent system for determining the degree of tree bark beetle damage based on the use of generative-adversarial neural networks.

The increasing prevalence of tree bark beetle infestations poses a significant threat to forest ecosystems, leading to detrimental impacts on biodiversity, carbon storage, and timber resources. This study addresses the pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance forest management practices through early detection and assessment of tree health. We developed an intelligent system leveraging multispectral images and generative-adversarial networks (GANs) to accurately determine the extent of bark beetle damage. Recognizing the challenges posed by traditional neural networks, which require vast amounts of labeled training data, we proposed a novel approach that utilizes a GAN architecture. In this system, a discriminator functions as a classifier, effectively trained on both real and synthetically generated data. Our methodology not only reduces the dependency on extensive labeled datasets but also enhances the robustness of the classification process. The results indicate a classification accuracy of 87.5%, demonstrating significant promise for improving detection capabilities even with limited training resources. The implications of this research are profound, offering potential benefits for the forestry industry through optimized management strategies and economic gains. Furthermore, our findings contribute to the preservation of critical ecosystem services by providing a means to monitor forest health effectively. However, the responsible implementation of this technology is paramount. Continuous refinement of the model, integration with traditional ecological knowledge, and ensuring transparency and equitable access to the developed system are essential for maximizing societal benefits. Additionally, addressing risks such as misinterpretation of data, overreliance on technology, and privacy concerns is crucial to minimize unintended consequences. Overall, this research presents a significant advancement in the field of forest health monitoring and establishes a foundation for future developments in intelligent ecological management systems.

Analysis of local community ecological knowledge on mangrove ecotourism development in Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

The mangrove area in Donggala Regency is a unique and potential area, but the area tends to be threatened by increasing mining activities in the area. Management of the mangrove area in Donggala Regency as an ecotourism area is an alternative form as an innovative effort to maintain environmental functions as a provider of environmental services in order to remain sustainable. This study was aimed at analyzing the Local Community Ecological Knowledge (LCEK) pertaining to mangrove ecosystems and ecotourism development in Donggala Regency. The study used a survey method, utilizing the analysis of the tourism suitability index (IKW) and the carrying capacity of the area (DDK). Community knowledge and perceptions were based on a Likert scale scoring system. The results of the study and the discussion showed that people in Donggala Regency had local ecological knowledge of mangrove forests, especially mangrove habitats, mangrove damage factors and the impact of mangrove damage was better than the function of mangroves. Utilization of mangrove ecosystems in Donggala Regency is very diverse, ranging from the utilization of mangrove stems, fruits, leaves and roots and fishery products such as small fish and shellfish. The community's understanding of ecotourism activities was very good and they agreed with the ecotourism activities that were carried out.

Decolonizing IS through tecnologia social: Fostering epistemic plurality in the design of solidarity cryptocurrency in Latin America

AbstractWesternised paradigms dominate the information systems (IS) field, often overshadowing alternative epistemologies. This study challenges the prevailing hegemonic view and contributes to the decolonization of IS research and practice by proposing a Latin American and decolonial approach to technological development that emphasises community centrality and epistemic justice through recognition of local knowledges and Indigenous traditions. Using design ethnography, we follow the development of a solidarity cryptocurrency in a Brazilian favela. Our paper offers two key contributions. By introducing tecnologia social, an underrepresented perspective in IS, we highlight ecology of knowledges, centrality of the local and decolonial reconfiguration as principles that can enrich the understanding of IS projects from a decolonial perspective. In addition, we propose a new concept—epistemic dialogical tension—as a process wherein different epistemologies coexist and accommodate each other, encouraging a dynamic interplay of distinct human experiences and worldviews. It offers new paths to IS scholars and practitioners in navigating the complexities of epistemic plurality. We argue that tecnologia social and epistemic dialogical tension provide fertile ground for developing reimagined, decolonized approaches where multiple epistemologies can coexist, favouring the often‐silenced communities they are intended to benefit.