Traditional knowledge

About: Traditional knowledge is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 10825 publications have been published within this topic receiving 202790 citations. The topic is also known as: indigenous knowledge & indigenous knowledge system.

Undermining subsistence: Barren-ground caribou in a “tragedy of open access”

Abstract: Sustaining arctic/subarctic ecosystems and the livelihoods of northern Indigenous peoples is an immense challenge amid increasing resource development. The paper describes a “tragedy of open access” occurring in Canada’s north as governments open up new areas of sensitive barren-ground caribou habitat to mineral resource development. Once numbering in the millions, barren-ground caribou populations (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus/Rangifer tarandus granti) have declined over 70% in northern Canada over the last two decades in a cycle well understood by northern Indigenous peoples and scientists. However, as some herds reach critically low population levels, the impacts of human disturbance have become a major focus of debate in the north and elsewhere. A growing body of science and traditional knowledge research points to the adverse impacts of resource development; however, management efforts have been almost exclusively focused on controlling the subsistence harvest of northern Indigenous peoples. These efforts to control Indigenous harvesting parallel management practices during previous periods of caribou population decline (for example, 1950s) during which time governments also lacked evidence and appeared motivated by other values and interests in northern lands and resources. As mineral resource development advances in northern Canada and elsewhere, addressing this “science-policy gap” problem is critical to the sustainability of both caribou and people.

Biological Diversity in the Patent System

Abstract: Biological diversity in the patent system is an enduring focus of controversy but empirical analysis of the presence of biodiversity in the patent system has been limited. To address this problem we text mined 11 million patent documents for 6 million Latin species names from the Global Names Index (GNI) established by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and Encyclopedia of Life (EOL). We identified 76,274 full Latin species names from 23,882 genera in 767,955 patent documents. 25,595 species appeared in the claims section of 136,880 patent documents. This reveals that human innovative activity involving biodiversity in the patent system focuses on approximately 4% of taxonomically described species and between 0.8–1% of predicted global species. In this article we identify the major features of the patent landscape for biological diversity by focusing on key areas including pharmaceuticals, neglected diseases, traditional medicines, genetic engineering, foods, biocides, marine genetic resources and Antarctica. We conclude that the narrow focus of human innovative activity and ownership of genetic resources is unlikely to be in the long term interest of humanity. We argue that a broader spectrum of biodiversity needs to be opened up to research and development based on the principles of equitable benefit-sharing, respect for the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, human rights and ethics. Finally, we argue that alternative models of innovation, such as open source and commons models, are required to open up biodiversity for research that addresses actual and neglected areas of human need. The research aims to inform the implementation of the 2010 Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization and international debates directed to the governance of genetic resources. Our research also aims to inform debates under the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore at the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Trouble in Paradise: Indigenous Populations, Anthropological Policies, and Biodiversity Conservation in Manu National Park, Peru

Abstract: Manu National Park was founded in 1973 on a profound contradiction: The “untouchable” core area is, in fact, the homeland of a large indigenous population, including the Matsigenka (Machiguenga). Some view the Westernization of native communities living in protected areas as a threat to biodiversity conservation and suggest that such populations should be enticed to resettle outside parks. Here, we present an overview of the indigenous populations of Manu, outline the history of the park and its anthropological policies, and discuss evolving park-Matsigenka conflicts as well as areas of common interest. Analysis reveals that resettlement has no political, legal, or practical viability. Thus, given the options available, we propose that long-term biodiversity conservation can best be achieved through a “tenure for defense” trade: indigenous communities receive explicit benefits (e.g., infrastructure and service investments, employment opportunities, or economic alternatives such as ecotourism) in exchange ...

Ancient roots, new shoots : endogenous development in practice

Abstract: * 1 - Introduction * 2 - Cultures, knowledges and developments, a historical perspective * 3 - The Compas approach to support endogenous development * 4 - Knowledge and belief systems in the Asian subcontinent * 4.1 Endogenous development through experimenting farmers, KPP * 4.2 Revitalising local health traditions, FRLHT * 4.3 Empowerment of Tharu indigenous knowledge, ECOS * 4.4 Modern dilemmas and traditional insights, CIKS * 4.5 Supporting endogenous development of the Atoni, TIRD * 4.6 The parth of rediscovery, GREEN * 4.7 Revitalising traditional agriculture, ECO and Compas Network in Sri Lanka * 4.8 Building on tribal resources, IDEA * 5.- Knowledge and belief systems in sub-Saharan Africa * 5.1 Improving farming with ancestral support, CECIK * 5.2 Developing centres of excellence on endogenous development, AZTREC * 6 - Knowledge and belief systems in Latin America * 6.1 Endogenous development and university education, AGRUCO * 6.2 Cosmovision as a basis for development, ADICI and OXLAJUJ AJPOP * 7 - Knowledge and belief systems in Europe * 7.1 Biodynamic farming and farmers' realities, BD-UNION * 7.2 Environmental co-operatives reconnect faming, ecology and society, WUR * 8. - Results and conclusions * 9. - Creating an enabling environment for endogenous development * Definitions * References * Addresses Compas Partner Organisations * Colophon

Traditional ecological knowledge in innovation governance: a framework for responsible and just innovation

Abstract: Change in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is not easily understood in terms of Western innovation discourses. In fact, innovations in the sense of modern and growth-oriented technologies are...