How to know about waters? Finnish traditional knowledge related to waters and implications for management reforms

Abstract

Finnish lakes, rivers, the Baltic and wetlands–our aquatic ecosystems–are surveyed, assessed and studied using natural sciences and ecological data. We argue that this approach is leaving out a key repository of information–the traditional knowledge of waters. By reviewing aspects, qualities and depth of knowledge across Finland from mid-boreal ecosystems in Eastern Finland to large Saimaa lake system to Western Finnish lakes we demonstrate a potentially reformative approach to aquatic assessments. Cultural indicators, baseline data from oral histories, linguistic diversity and behaviour of species on lakes based on traditional knowledge observations have the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of ecosystem health. Of special importance are the spawning locations of fish known through traditional knowledge, but often ignored by science-based assessments.

Interactions between Climate Change and Infrastructure Projects in Changing Water Resources: An Ethnobiological Perspective from the Daasanach, Kenya

“…Although some IPLC might not always be fully aware of socioeconomic or political changes at regional or global scales, they deal with the expressions of these changes in their daily activities and their surrounding environments (Fernández-Llamazares et al 2015; Savo et al 2016). Also, through their long-term and intimate empirical interactions with nature (Eira et al 2018; Orlove et al 2010), IPLC have developed holistic understandings and rationales about observed changes and their interconnections and drivers, on which they base their decisions and adjust their livelihoods (e.g., Mustonen and Huusari 2020; Reid et al 2014). Understanding IPLC perceptions of environmental change, therefore, offers a window of opportunity to bring into focus the complex interrelations between climatic and other drivers of change.…”

Equity of our future oceans: outcomes and practice in marine science research

“…Small scale fleets and harvesters (Isaacs et al, n.d) are often the keepers of remaining equity management and co-existence mechanisms but are also mostly affected by the large fleets for example through exclusion of quota allocations, destruction of habitats and stocks by trawling fleets and other issues. Whilst care has to be taken to investigate each small-scale fishery case on their own, we can learn from each case and global solidarity and unity for diverse indigenous and smaller scale fisheries can be found across continents (Isaacs et al, n.d), traditional systems (Mustonen and Huusari, 2020) and globally (Mustonen et al, Submitted) in this issue.…”

An integrative approach to assess the impact of disturbance on native fish in lakes

“…Indigenous Knowledge and social histories provide valuable information on changes in fish communities that have not been studied or numerically assessed (e.g. Mustonen & Huusari, 2020; Parlee, Geertsema & Willier, 2012). A number of studies highlight the benefit and need to draw upon a range of diverse knowledge systems to enhance understanding of long‐term ecological change and therefore improve ecosystem management (Tengö et al ., 2014; Berkes, 2017).…”

“…Mustonen & Huusari (2020) discussed social histories of three Finnish lakes, investigating oral histories from local fisherman who recollected historical events occurring from the 1830s, such as large‐scale ecological change (droughts, intense storms) and special fishery catches, to gather baseline fishery data and understand the effects of ecological change. The oral histories were used to link the loss of vendace ( Coregonus albula ) and the increase in European smelt to the introduction of fish trawling in Finland (Mustonen & Huusari, 2020). Another Finnish study, involving fishers at Lake Näsijärvi, used local knowledge of traditional site names to identify historical apaja sites (catch sites) and spawning locations for smelt and vendace.…”