Biocultural Hysteresis Inhibits Adaptation to Environmental Change.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Social Science
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) traditionally manage environments using natural resources.
• Environmental, social, and economic drivers increasingly disrupt this relationship.
• These disruptions can create feedback loops that weaken local management efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and define the concept of biocultural hysteresis.
• To explain how feedback mechanisms diminish IPLC environmental management.
• To advocate for adaptive policies supporting IPLC engagement with their environment.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of socio-ecological dynamics.
• Identification of feedback mechanisms impacting IPLC management.
• Literature review on environmental change and Indigenous governance.

Main Results:

• Biocultural hysteresis is identified as a process where disrupted IPLC-environment relationships are exacerbated by feedback loops.
• Knowledge loss and social hierarchy breakdown are key feedbacks preventing adaptation.
• Increased time spent outside social-ecological contexts worsens biocultural hysteresis.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive policies are crucial to protect and enable IPLC environmental engagement.
• Addressing biocultural hysteresis requires supporting IPLC's connection to their environment.
• Strengthening IPLC governance is essential for resilient environmental management.