Education and research opportunities for traditional ecological knowledge

Abstract

teaching of TEK, and would be, in turn, impacted by TEK education. The workshop attracted participants from many countries, as well as from a variety of backgrounds: students and professionals from primary schools, tribal colleges, universities, federal agencies, and NGOs. This broad representation reflected the potential of TEK to truly diversify the group of people involved in ecology professions.TEK has been recognized for its potential to contribute to our understanding of ecological systems (Ludwig et al. 2001;Folke 2004) and as a source of new biological insights and models, in both conservation biology and ecosystem management. Integration of scientific approaches with TEK relies on the formation of equitable partnerships with indigenous communities, but many scientists are unfamiliar with the cross-cultural perspectives necessary for the development of these relationships. Linkages between scientific ecological knowledge (SEK) and TEK are difficult because the two come from different epistemological foundations. Even so, progress is being made around the world in linking SEK and TEK; for example, a TEK task force was created in 2005 by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), whose objective is to understand the interrelationships of TEK and SEK in sustainable forest management. The IUFRO is among a growing number of Aquí describimos las reflexiones de un grupo reunido para discutir y construir ideas para la integración del conocimiento ecológico tradicional (CET) en la educación ecológica básica. La representación internacional dentro del grupo facilitó la recopilación de ideas de un conjunto diverso de gente sobre el amplio tema de la educación del CET. La inclusión del CET en la educación ecológica prevaleciente (más que su aislamiento en cursos separados y especializados) le permitiría ser más ampliamente respetado y reconocido por su utilidad para la investigación y manejo ecológicos. Además, la tradición oral, que juega un papel clave en la transmisión del conocimiento ecológico cultural, es un mecanismo poderoso para promover la educación del CET. Este artículo discute los beneficios del CET en la investigación y la educación, el trabajo que ya se ha realizado en la materia, y la conciencia ética que viene con la incorporación del CET en la educación.Here we describe the deliberations of a group convened to discuss and build on ideas for integrating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into basic ecology education. The international representation within the group facilitated collection of ideas from a diverse group of people on the broad topic of TEK education. Inclusion of TEK in mainstream ecology education (rather than sequestration in separate, specialized courses) would allow it to be more widely recognized and respected for its usefulness in ecological research and management. In addition, storytelling, which has a key role in the transmission of cultural ecological knowledge, is a powerful way to promote TEK education itself. This paper discusses the benefits of ...

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