Towards richer knowledge partnerships between ecology and ethnoecology

Indigenous and traditional practices based on ethnoecological knowledge are fundamental to biodiversity stewardship and sustainable use. Knowledge partnerships between Indigenous Peoples, traditional local communities, and ecologists can produce richer and fairer understandings of nature. We identify key topical areas where such collaborations can positively transform science, policy, and practice.

Floral scent of the Mediterranean fig tree: significant inter-varietal difference but strong conservation of the signal responsible for pollinator attraction

For thousands of years, humans have domesticated different plants by selecting for particular characters, often affecting less-known traits, including the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by these plants for defense or reproduction. The fig tree Ficus carica has a very wide range of varieties in the Mediterranean region and is selected for its traits affecting fruits, including pollination, but the effect of human-driven diversification on the VOCs emitted by the receptive figs to attract their pollinator (Blastophaga psenes) is not known. In the present study, VOCs from receptive figs of eight varieties in northern Morocco, were collected at different times within the manual pollination period and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Genetic analyses using microsatellite loci were performed on the same varieties. Despite strong inter-varietal differences in the quantity and relative proportions of all VOCs, the relative proportions of the four pollinator-attractive VOCs showed limited variation among varieties. There was no significant correlation between genetic markers and chemical profiles of the different varieties. While diversification driven by humans has led to differences between varieties in VOC profiles, this paper suggests that throughout the process of domestication and varietal diversification, stabilizing selection has maintained a strong signal favoring pollinator attraction.

Recognizing Indigenous peoples' and local communities' rights and agency in the post-2020 Biodiversity Agenda

The Convention on Biological Diversity is defining the goals that will frame future global biodiversity policy in a context of rapid biodiversity decline and under pressure to make transformative change. Drawing on the work of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, we argue that transformative change requires the foregrounding of Indigenous peoples' and local communities' rights and agency in biodiversity policy. We support this argument with four key points. First, Indigenous peoples and local communities hold knowledge essential for setting realistic and effective biodiversity targets that simultaneously improve local livelihoods. Second, Indigenous peoples' conceptualizations of nature sustain and manifest CBD's 2050 vision of "Living in harmony with nature." Third, Indigenous peoples' and local communities' participation in biodiversity policy contributes to the recognition of human and Indigenous peoples' rights. And fourth, engagement in biodiversity policy is essential for Indigenous peoples and local communities to be able to exercise their recognized rights to territories and resources.

Ethnobotanical classification and plant nomenclature system of high altitude agro-pastoralists in Dolpo, Nepal

This paper describes the findings of ethnobotanical research conducted in Tibetan community of agro-pastoralists in Dolpo, northwest Nepal. We assessed vernacular classification and plant nomenclature system with a particular focus on medicinal plants. We aimed to encompass the interpretation of semantic categories, as well as observing directly how people relate to plants in all material and symbolic aspects of their life. The methodology used consisted of village-level group meetings, indoor semi-structured interviews, in situ open interviews and resource mapping. The results showed that a substantial body of knowledge concerning ethno-medical practices and ethno-systematics remain intact in the study area. The Dolpo agro-pastoralists and particularly local amchi (specialists trained in the Tibetan medical system) name and classify the plant world based on morphological, ecological and organoleptic criteria producing a system of hierarchical classification. The richness and complexity of the botanical nomenclature reflect their profound knowledge obtained both from Tibetan materia medica and through direct field experience about the use and management of plant resources. The knowledge of amchi, in particular, is highly linked to the context of social interaction and practices. The study reveals that the use of knowledge and perception of local resource users is valuable for developing management guidelines for medicinal plants in our case and for overall conservation approaches. Key-words: Amchi; ethnobotany; ethnoecology; medicinal plants; Tibetan medicine; vernacular classification.DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2912 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 56-68