Boundary Spanning Methodological Approaches for Collaborative Moose Governance in Eeyou Istchee.

Area of Science:

• * Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• * Natural Resource Governance
• * Human-Ecology Interactions

Background:

• * Indigenous communities like the James Bay Cree face complex natural resource governance challenges.
• * Traditional livelihoods, such as those dependent on moose, are impacted by forestry and resource development.
• * Diverse knowledge systems among governance actors can hinder shared understanding and response to ecological pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To present fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) as a method for eliciting land-user knowledge on forest management impacts on moose habitat.
• * To explore challenges in integrating Indigenous knowledge with scientific data (e.g., GPS collar analysis) and agency perspectives.
• * To discuss the practical application of participatory, relational mapping in pluralistic natural resource governance.

Main Methods:

• * Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) to elicit and interpret land-user knowledge.
• * Integration of qualitative Indigenous knowledge with quantitative moose GPS collar data.
• * Comparative analysis of knowledge from land-users, scientists, and government agencies.

Main Results:

• * FCM effectively captured nuanced perspectives on the impacts of forest management on moose habitat.
• * Significant challenges were identified in synthesizing diverse knowledge systems for integrated governance.
• * Participatory mapping approaches offer potential for bridging knowledge gaps.

Conclusions:

• * Fuzzy cognitive mapping is a valuable tool for understanding complex human-environment interactions in Indigenous territories.
• * Integrating diverse knowledge systems is crucial for effective and equitable natural resource governance.
• * Relational mapping approaches can enhance collaborative management and conservation efforts.