Global trends of local ecological knowledge and future implications

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Anthropology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Local and indigenous knowledge systems are crucial for understanding and managing ecosystems.
• Globalization, modernization, and market integration are driving significant changes in these knowledge systems.
• The erosion of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) impacts cultural and biological diversity, and community resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the drivers of transformation in local and indigenous ecological knowledge globally.
• To assess the directionality of reported changes in TEK.
• To understand the implications of TEK loss for biodiversity conservation.

Main Methods:

• Global literature review analyzing studies on local and indigenous ecological knowledge transformation.
• Assessment of reported drivers and directionality of knowledge change.
• Synthesis of findings on knowledge loss, persistence, and influencing factors.

Main Results:

• A global impoverishment of local and indigenous knowledge was observed, with 77% of studies reporting knowledge loss.
• Key drivers of knowledge loss include globalization, modernization, and market integration.
• Knowledge loss is more pronounced in medicinal and ethnobotanical domains; knowledge persistence (15%) is linked to maintained traditional practices and hybrid knowledge creation.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms a widespread decline in local and indigenous ecological knowledge.
• The loss of TEK, driven by external socio-economic and cultural forces, poses a significant threat to biodiversity conservation.
• There is a critical need for further research on TEK change and the development of strategies to support its persistence and integration into conservation efforts.