A global index of biocultural diversity

2010

Biocultural Diversity Conservation: A Global Sourcebook, by biocultural diversity expert Luisa Maffi and environment and development consultant Ellen Woodley, is a rigorous, groundbreaking, and practical exploration of the increasingly influential concept of biocultural diversity. Seven years in the making, Maffi and Woodley’s book is intended for researchers, professionals, policy-makers, Indigenous and other local organizations, international agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), funders, and media. Amid the loss of biological species, cultures, languages, and habitats caused by global civilization’s fastgrowing ecological footprint, readers are encouraged to critically assess the premise that the protection, maintenance, and restoration of biological, cultural, and linguistic diversity (“biocultural diversity”1) are necessary to support the longevity, vitality, and resilience of nature and culture.

2003

Martin, Gary, Diana Mincyte and Ursula Münster (eds.) 2012. Why do we Value Diversity? Biocultural Diversity in a Global Context . Munich: Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society.

"The concept of biocultural diversity was introduced by ethno- biologists to argue that the variation within ecological systems is inextricably linked to cultural and linguistic differences. It has generated much interesting research and has influenced the politics of conservation. However, it is not without its critics. In this volume of RCC Perspectives, scholars from a wide range of fields reflect on the definition, impact, and possible vulnerabilities of the concept. Understandings of biocultural diversity have had and will have a significant impact on resource use and conserva- tion, and on the transformation of landscapes. While the concept may help preserve what we value, we must ensure that it does not lead to forms of cultural or ecological imperialism."

Indonesian Journal of Applied Environmental Studies

INTRODUCTION We know that there is only one earth, there are many different worlds. Different worldviews do not only have significant political and socio-economic repercussions but they also determine the way in which people perceive and interact with nature, thus forming their specific culture. Natural ecosystems cannot be understood, conserved and managed without recognizing the human culture that shape them, since biological and cultural diversities are mutually reinforcing and interdependent. Together, cultural diversity and biological diversity hold the key to ensuring resilience in both social and ecological systems (Erdelen, 2003). Through the environmental sciences and cultural activities, in promoting awareness and understanding of the relationships between biological and cultural diversity as a key basis for sustainable development.Beside has high biological diversity Indonesia also possesses high cultural diversity. It doesn’t marvel that Indonesia is...

Environment and Ecology Research, 2016

Nonlinear multivariate statistical methods have proven to be useful tools in research issues dealing with biocultural diversity. Namely, these methods have less restrictions in their use, as compared with compatible linear methods. This research is the example of using some of these methods. The three indices of biocultural diversity by the variables of biological and cultural diversity have been predicted, based on population size (POP), areal size (AREA) and overall biological and cultural richness (RICH). Then, we have determined: clusters in which different countries can be grouped based on biocultural diversity indices (POP, AREA, RICH), the latent dimensions of the biocultural diversity in the space of biocultural diversity indices (POP, AREA, RICH) and finally, the association between the indices of biodiversity and cultural diversity (POP, AREA, RICH). General conclusion is that nonlinear multivariate methods (together with cluster analysis), in spite of their robustness, ca...

The application of ecological concepts to ethnobotanical studies, in particular of diversity, is analyzed. Diversity indices are important tools that may help in understanding human-environment interactions. Those indices allow comparisons on the use of plants by different populations in different environments. A review on recent major ethnobotanical journals was carried out, and 10 studies (7from Latin America, 2 from Asia and 1 from Europe) were selected based on available data to calculate diversity indices. The Shannon-Wiener indices and rarefaction curves were obtained. High diversity on plant uses were found for studies carried out at Peru, Mexico, Brazil and Thailand. A low diversity was found for Tonga, and island biogeography theory is used to discuss these results. Sampling effort is evaluated through rarefaction curves. The estimation of the diversity of resources used by native populations may be useful when planning conservation areas and their management. O Uso de Mrtodos Ecol6gicos em Etnobotgmica: Indices de Diversidade. A aplicafdo de conceitos de ecologia em estudos etnobotCmicos, em particular diversidade, ~ analisada. Os (ndices de diversidude sao ferramentas importantes que nos ajudam a enteuder as interafres humanas com o ambiente. Esses (ndices permitem comparar o uso de plantas por populafres diferentes em ambientes diferentes. Foi realizada urea revisao nos principais perirdicos recentes de etnobot~nica e foram selecionados 10 estudos (7 da America Latina, 2 da Asia e Ida Europa), corn base na disponibilidade de dados, para o cdlculo dos indices de diversidude. Indices de Shannon-Wiener e curvas de rarefafao foram obtidas. Foi encontrada uma alta diversidade de uso de plantas para Peru, Mgxico, Brazil e Tail~udia. Uma haixa diversidade foi encontruda em Tonga, e a biogeografia de ilhas 6 usada para discutir os resultados. 0 esfor9o de amostragem ~ avaliado com base nas curvas de rarefagao. A estimativa da diversidade dos recursos usados pot populafres nativas pode ser util no planejamento de dreas de conserva96o e em seu manejo.

Economic Botany, 1996

The application of ecological concepts to ethnobotanical studies, in particular of diversity, is analyzed. Diversity indices are important tools that may help in understanding human-environment interactions. Those indices allow comparisons on the use of plants by different populations in different environments. A review on recent major ethnobotanical journals was carried out, and 10 studies (7 from Latin America, 2 from Asia and 1 from Europe) were selected based on available data to calculate diversity indices. The Shannon-Wiener indices and rarefaction curves were obtained. High diversity on plant uses were found for studies carried out at Peru, Mexico, Brazil and Thailand. A low diversity was found for Tonga, and island biogeography theory is used to discuss these results. Sampling effort is evaluated through rarefaction curves. The estimation of the diversity of resources used by native populations may be useful when planning conservation areas and their management. A aplicação de conceitos de ecologia em estudos etnobotânicos, em particular diversidade, é analisada. Os índices de diversidade são ferramentas importantes que nos ajudam a entender as interações humanas com o ambiente. Esses indices permitem comparar o uso de plantas por populações diferentes em ambientes diferentes. Foi realizada uma revisão nos principals periódicos recentes de etnobotânica e foram selecionados 10 estudos (7 da America Latina, 2 da Ásia e l da Europa), com base na disponibilidade de dados, para o cálculo dos indices de diversidade. Indices de Shannon-Wiener e curvas de rarefação foram obtidas. Foi encontrada uma alta diversidade de uso de plantas para Peru, México, Brazil e Tailândia. Uma baixa diversidade foi encontrada em Tonga, e a biogeografia de ilhas é usada para discutir os resultados. O esforço de amostragem é avaliado com base nos curvas de rarefação. A estimativa da diversidade dos recursos usados por populações nativas pode ser util no planejamento de áreas de conservação e em seu manejo.

2010

Biology and Anthropology/Sociology have dealt with issues of diversity for a long time, developing different concepts, theories and methods. In recent years there has been, if not a convergence, but at least a recognition that problems in nature and in society are interrelated. This paper attempts to use concepts and methods of biodiversity research and test their applicability for a study of ethnic relations.