Introduction

Traditional and local knowledge is the collective body of knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

In this particular context, “traditional” means that the knowledge has accumulated across the generations from experience in a specific place or ecosystem. Traditional knowledge is also known as Indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge, innovations and practices are a series of connected systems that may be very familiar to specific groups of people, but completely unknown by people outside of those groups. They usually have a very strong focus on natural resource management —including a strong awareness of the environment and an appreciation for conservation and continuity — encourage sustainable innovation and see the long-term well-being of the community as the ultimate goal of all activities.

Sources:

Curci, J. (2010). The protection of biodiversity and traditional knowledge in international law of intellectual property. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511770685

Lasimbang, J. (2006). Natural resource management country studies. [Regional Synthesis Paper]. Regional Indigenous Peoples’ Programme, UNDP. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/asia_pacific_rbap/RBAP-DG-2006-NRM-Regional-Synthesis-Paper.pdf

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. (1992). Convention on biological diversity: Text and annexes. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.cbd.int/doc/legal/cbd-en.pdf

Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit you will be able to:

• discuss the link between human habitat and the available natural resources: how to use and conserve natural resources to address the multiple needs of a traditional community and help them develop relevant skills for total biomass use.

Terminology

Forest stewardship:  Forests being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity, benefits the lives of local people and workers and sustains economic viability.

Aquaculture:  The breeding, rearing and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae and other organisms in all types of water (e.g., salt water, fresh water and brackish water).

Governance:  The system, structures and processes for overseeing and guiding decision-making, accountability, control and behaviour in an organisation.

Adaptation:  A change in structure, function or behaviour that allows an individual or an entire species to improve their chances of survival in a specific environment.

Sovereignty:  The authority of a state to govern itself or its dominant power over the state.

Marine protected areas:  A part of the ocean that is set aside and managed for the long-term conservation of marine (ocean) resources.

Indigenous Peoples:  The earliest known inhabitants of an area and their descendants