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William H, Thomas
Enemy of Nature or Steward of Biodiversity?: The Role of Human Disturbance in Fostering Biodiversity


Abstract

We have reached a scientific consensus that the earth is entering a cycle of extinctions driven human activity. While such news would seem to paint modern humans as the primary enemy of the natural world, archaeologists have uncovered plenty of evidence linking less developed societies to localized extinctions. In this paper, I argue that extinctions are not solely a product of modern consumerism. Instead, the seeds of extinction can be found in the underlying relationship between human activity and biological diversity. Drawing on fieldwork in New Guinea, this paper presents an ethno-ecological perspective on the potential of traditional activities to foster or destroy biological diversity.

One of the greatest barriers confronting those that attempt to conserve biodiversity is the confusion over the relationship between tradition and biodiversity. Since indigenous practitioners do not typically communicate in the genus and species parlance of western science, it has been difficult to integrate indigenous knowledge into conservation planning. However, indigenous naturalists have been accumulating their knowledge unencumbered by the philosophical shifts of western thought, developing a dynamic view of nature that incorporates connectedness, disturbance and recovery as a normal course of events in the natural world. Since western science has only recently moved toward this non-linear view, the indigenous view of nature has, in a sense, been ahead of the emerging scientific consensus. In fact the natural history of traditional inhabitants contains clues to the fate of the natural world. By factoring disturbance into the relationship between tradition and biodiversity, researchers have moved beyond the stereotypes of the 'noble savage' and are beginning to unravel the evidence of humanity's role in both historic and prehistoric extinctions.  The continued disappearance of wild lands coupled with the coexistence of traditional cultures with biological diversity, has forced conservationists to reconsider our notions concerning the nature of wilderness. In this paper, I argue that the ability to foster or destroy biodiversity is inherent in traditional land use. By shifting perspectives, one can better understand humanity’s role in shaping the environment and our potential to conserve or destroy nature.

Biography

Dr. Thomas is Director of the New Jersey School of Conservation. He has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Arizona State University. His research interests include conservation/sustainable use and traditional ecological wisdom of indigenous people. Dr. Thomas has been recognized by the United Nations for the development of research methodologies in the use of indigenous knowledge. UNESCO‘s Management of Social Transformations Program (MOST) has recognized Dr. Thomas for his development of one of the planet’s “Best Practices Using Indigenous Knowledge.”  In addition to being innovative, these Best Practices were chosen for their potential to make a difference and inspire others to develop sustainable use strategies for the environment. Since1988, he has conducted ethno-ecological research in Papua New Guinea. Dr. Thomas hopes that by exposing conservationists to the possibilities of indigenous knowledge, they will be more willing to adopt local models of sustainability and involve local people in the conservation of their lands. He is currently working with Conservation International to develop a "Forest Stewards" program to conserve the largest and least explored wilderness in New Guinea.



 

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