Global importance of Indigenous Peoples, their lands, and knowledge systems for saving the world’s primates from extinction

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(32)

Published: Aug. 10, 2022

Primates, represented by 521 species, are distributed across 91 countries primarily in the Neotropic, Afrotropic, and Indo-Malayan realms. Primates inhabit a wide range of habitats play critical roles sustaining healthy ecosystems that benefit human nonhuman communities. Approximately 68% primate species threatened with extinction because global pressures to convert their for agricultural production extraction natural resources. Here, we review scientific literature conduct spatial analysis assess significance Indigenous Peoples’ lands safeguarding biodiversity. We found account 30% range, 71% these lands. As on increases, less likely be classified as or have declining populations. Safeguarding lands, languages, cultures represents our greatest chance prevent world’s primates.

Language: Английский

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What do you mean, ‘megafire’?

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(10), P. 1906 - 1922

Published: May 3, 2022

Abstract Background ‘Megafire’ is an emerging concept commonly used to describe fires that are extreme in terms of size, behaviour, and/or impacts, but the term’s meaning remains ambiguous. Approach We sought resolve ambiguity surrounding ‘megafire’ by conducting a structured review use and definition term several languages peer‐reviewed scientific literature. collated definitions descriptions megafire identified criteria frequently invoked define megafire. recorded size location megafires mapped them reveal global variation described as megafires. Results 109 studies or identify megafire, with first appearing literature 2005. Seventy‐one (~65%) these attempted term. There was considerable variability although based on fire were most common. Megafire thresholds varied geographically from > 100–100,000 ha, 10,000 ha common threshold (41%, 18/44 studies). Definitions led authors North America (52%, 37/71). 137 instances 84 where reported megafires, vast majority (94%, 129/137) which exceed size. Megafires occurred range biomes, forested biomes (112/137, 82%), usually single ignition (59% 81/137). Conclusion As Earth’s climate ecosystems change, it important scientists can communicate trends occurrence larger more clarity. To overcome ambiguity, we suggest arising multiple related events. introduce two additional – gigafire (> 100,000 ha) terafire 1,000,000 for even scale than

Language: Английский

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Indigenous oyster fisheries persisted for millennia and should inform future management

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: May 3, 2022

Historical ecology has revolutionized our understanding of fisheries and cultural landscapes, demonstrating the value historical data for evaluating past, present, future Earth's ecosystems. Despite several important studies, Indigenous generally receive less attention from scholars managers than 17th-20th century capitalist commercial that decimated many keystone species, including oysters. We investigate oyster harvest through time in North America Australia, placing these context sea level histories catch records. were pervasive across space time, persisting 5000-10,000 years or more. Oysters likely managed sometimes "farmed," are woven into broader cultural, ritual, social traditions. Effective stewardship reefs other marine around world must center include community members to co-develop more inclusive, just, successful strategies restoration, harvest, management.

Language: Английский

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Biocultural vulnerability exposes threats of culturally important species

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(2)

Published: Jan. 3, 2023

There are growing calls for conservation frameworks that, rather than breaking the relations between people and other parts of nature, capture place-based relationships that have supported social–ecological systems over long term. Biocultural approaches propose actions based on biological priorities cultural values aligned with local priorities, but mechanisms allow their global uptake missing. We a framework to globally assess biocultural status specific components nature matter apply it culturally important species (CIS). Drawing literature review survey, we identified 385 wild species, mostly plants, which important. CIS predominate among Indigenous peoples (57%) ethnic groups (21%). larger proportion Data-Deficient (41%) full set International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) (12%), underscoring disregard considerations in research. Combining information (IUCN threatened status) (language vitality), found more Vulnerable or Endangered they biologically there is higher share bioculturally either measured separately. Bioculturally particularly predominant peoples, arguably because high levels loss them. The deliberate connection values, as developed our “biocultural status” metric, provides an actionable way guide decisions operationalize oriented enhance practices demonstrated long-term sustainability.

Language: Английский

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Indigenous knowledge is key to sustainable food systems

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 613(7943), P. 239 - 242

Published: Jan. 10, 2023

Language: Английский

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Contributions of human cultures to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(5), P. 866 - 879

Published: March 19, 2024

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity and human health: A scoping review and examples of underrepresented linkages

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 246, P. 118115 - 118115

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Mounting evidence supports the connections between exposure to environmental typologies––such as green spaces––and human health. However, mechanistic links that connect biodiversity (the variety of life) and health, extent supporting remain less clear. Here, we undertook a scoping review map health summarise levels associated using an established weight framework. Distinct from other reviews, provide additional context regarding environment-microbiome-health axis, evaluate buffering pathway (e.g., impacts on air pollution), examples three under- or minimally-represented linkages. The are (1) Indigenous Peoples' (2) urban social equity, (3) COVID-19. We observed moderate level support microbiota-human moderate-high broader nature pathways greenspace) various outcomes, stress reduction enhanced wellbeing improved cohesion. studies did not typically include specific metrics, indicating clear research gaps. Further is required understand causative metrics such taxonomy, diversity/richness, structure, function) outcomes. There well-established frameworks assess effects broad classifications These can assist future in linking Our underrepresented linkages highlight roles its loss lived experiences, infectious diseases, sovereignty livelihoods. More awareness these socioecological interconnections needed.

Language: Английский

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Late Pleistocene emergence of an anthropogenic fire regime in Australia’s tropical savannahs

Nature Geoscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 233 - 240

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract At the time of European arrival on Australian continent, sophisticated Indigenous societies practiced land management across Australia’s extensive tropical savannahs. Fire was one main tools people used to manipulate fuel loads and connectivity reduce uncontrolled wildfire, maintain vegetation structure enhance biodiversity. When this alteration a ‘natural’ fire regime human-dominated occurred is not known. Here we assessed incidence intensity over past 150,000 years through continuous lacustrine record by comparing accumulation rates micro-charcoal stable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that form during combustion vegetation. We also compared grass (mainly C 4 ) pollen as percentage total dryland with carbon isotope composition hydrocarbon. established high statistical certainty change in at least 11,000 ago from less-frequent, more-intense fires more-frequent, less-intense fires. This marked overprinting largely natural modulated management. Our findings demonstrate human use has modified regimes throughout Holocene show how have managed potential for type high-intensity are likely increase future.

Language: Английский

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Catastrophic Bushfires, Indigenous Fire Knowledge and Reframing Science in Southeast Australia

Fire, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 4(3), P. 61 - 61

Published: Sept. 9, 2021

The catastrophic 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires were the worst fire season in recorded history of Southeast Australia. These one several recent global conflagrations across landscapes that are homelands Indigenous peoples, invaded and colonised by European nations over centuries. subsequent suppression cessation landscape management has had profound social environmental impacts. have brought cultural burning practices to forefront as a potential tool for mitigating climate-driven Here, we highlight new research clearly demonstrates Australia produced radically different regimes than what is presently considered “natural”. We some barriers return Australian landscapes. argue adequately address inform policy practice managing forest landscapes, scientific approaches must be decolonized shift from post-hoc engagement with people perspectives collaboration between communities scientists.

Language: Английский

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Overcoming racism in the twin spheres of conservation science and practice

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 288(1962)

Published: Nov. 3, 2021

It is time to acknowledge and overcome conservation's deep-seated systemic racism, which has historically marginalized Black, Indigenous people of colour (BIPOC) communities continues do so. We describe how the mutually reinforcing ‘twin spheres’ conservation science practice perpetuate this racism. trace institutional structures in (e.g. degree programmes, support advancement opportunities, course syllabuses) can systematically produce graduates with partial problematic conceptions history contemporary purposes. Many these go on work practice, reproducing colonial by contributing programmes based outmoded models that disproportionately harm rural BIPOC further restrict access inclusion for conservationists. provide practical, actionable proposals breaking vicious cycles racism system we have virtuous inclusion, equality, equity participation want.

Language: Английский

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