WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT CO-EXISTING CULTURES (original) (raw)
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Different cultures have different relationships with nature, and these relationships have many dimensions which shape people's perceptions towards nature. Therefore, perceptions may vary between different cultures within the same territories. Understanding each culture´s relationship with the surrounding environment is of extreme importance for the correct allocation of conservation resources, and for the development of efficient conservation actions. In this study, we discuss the perceptions of two different cultures regarding large and medium-sized mammal conservation in an endangered region of Argentina, called the Dry Chaco. These two cultures are peasants, or Criollos, and the indigenous Wichís; we assessed and compared their perceptions on local extinctions, conservation problems, conflicts with wildlife and possible solutions for these issues. We found that although both cultures inhabit the same territory and report local extinctions, their perceptions on which species w...
Relations with wildlife of Wichi and Criollo people of the Dry Chaco, a conservation perspective
Relations with wildlife of Wichi and Criollo people of the Dry Chaco, a conservation perspective, 2018
Indigenous Wichís and mestizos Criollos inhabit a rural, biodiversity rich, area of the Argentinean Dry Chaco. Traditionally, Wichís were nomads and their relations with wildlife were shaped by animistic and shamanic beliefs. Today, Wichís live in stable communities and practice subsistence hunting, gathering and in some cases, fishing. Criollos are mestizos, i.e. a mixture of the first Spanish settlers and different indigenous groups. They arrived during the 20th century from neighbouring Provinces. They practice extensive ranching, hunting and gathering. Our aim was to help develop effective and legitimate actions to conserve wildlife species in this region, focused on Wichísánd Criollos´perceptionsCriollos´perceptions of and relations with wildlife. We conducted semistructured interviews (N=105) in rural settlements. We found differences in both groups´huntinggroups´hunting techniques, drivers and perceptions on the importance of wild meat for nutrition. However, both groups have a close relation with wildlife, they use wild animals in a variety of ways, including as food resource, medicine and predictors of future events. Wichís and Criollos also relate with wildlife in a spiritual dimension, have animistic and shamanic beliefs and have unique traditional ecological knowledge. Hunters in both communities are breaking traditional hunting norms but conservation measures grounded on these norms have a higher probability of success. Management recommendations include developing programmes focused on (i) conserving thin armadillos; (ii) conserving pregnant and breeding females of all species; (iii) managing dogs to avoid unnecessary killings and on (iv) improving local livelihoods. We also provide recommendations that are specific for each group.
Factors Underlying the Interactions Between People and Wildlife in the Argentine Chaco
2005
I assessed major factors influencing the interactions between the mestizo community and wildlife of the Impenetrable, in the Argentine Chaco, and the ways in which these interactions are influenced by the larger economic and political context. I used a mixed qualitative and quantitative methods approach, between 2001 and 2005. I found that wildlife represented an important food source, especially for the poorer rural households. The importance of wild meat varied across the community and region, in relation to the socioeconomic characteristics of households, village size, forest condition, season, species biology, and cultural preferences. Some species used by local people, primarily whitelipped and Chacoan peccaries, and jaguar, were in decline and their range had been reduced by habitat destruction and overhunting, especially in the humid sub-region. These species persisted in areas of low human density, low hunting pressure and scarce development. Harvest of peccaries for food was unsustainable. Characteristics of the resource and of the community explained the lack of incentives for community-based management of peccaries. The resource was too large in relation to the local technology and the community's institutional capacities were scarcely developed. Changes in property right regimes also influenced people-wildlife interactions and were related with species mobility. Acquisition of land title by peasants did not reduce overexploitation of highly mobile resources such as peccaries, which continued to be hunted as open access resources. The national economic collapse of 2001 had a strong influence in the region. Hunting by villagers increased as a result of growing unemployment, whereas peasants reduced their hunting and turned to forest exploitation. Acquisition of land title by nonlocals and intensification of ranching and forest exploitation subsequently increased, thereby affecting the livelihoods of local peasants by reducing grazing areas and affecting wildlife by reducing habitat. This study shows how people-wildlife interactions are complex and dynamic, and indicates that conservation measures are unlikely to succeed without considering the biological, cultural, socioeconomic , and political factors involved. External factors require especial consideration. In this case, a national change in economic policy produced a local change in land use that is jeopardizing the peasants culture and the region's biodiversity.
2005
I assessed major factors influencing the interactions between the mestizo community and wildlife of the Impenetrable, in the Argentine Chaco, and the ways in which these interactions are influenced by the larger economic and political context. I used a mixed qualitative and quantitative methods approach, between 2001 and 2005. I found that wildlife represented an important food source, especially for the poorer rural households. The importance of wild meat varied across the community and region, in relation to the socioeconomic characteristics of households, village size, forest condition, season, species biology, and cultural preferences. Some species used by local people, primarily whitelipped and Chacoan peccaries, and jaguar, were in decline and their range had been reduced by habitat destruction and overhunting, especially in the humid sub-region. These species persisted in areas of low human density, low hunting pressure and scarce development. Harvest of peccaries for food was unsustainable. Characteristics of the resource and of the community explained the lack of incentives for community-based management of peccaries. The resource was too large in relation to the local technology and the community's institutional capacities were scarcely developed. Changes in property right regimes also influenced people-wildlife interactions and were related with species mobility. Acquisition of land title by peasants did not reduce overexploitation of highly mobile resources such as peccaries, which continued to be hunted as open access resources. The national economic collapse of 2001 had a strong influence in the region. Hunting by villagers increased as a result of growing unemployment, whereas peasants reduced their hunting and turned to forest exploitation. Acquisition of land title by nonlocals and intensification of ranching and forest exploitation subsequently increased, thereby affecting the livelihoods of local peasants by reducing grazing areas and affecting wildlife by reducing habitat. This study shows how people-wildlife interactions are complex and dynamic, and indicates that conservation measures are unlikely to succeed without considering the biological, cultural, socioeconomic , and political factors involved. External factors require especial consideration. In this case, a national change in economic policy produced a local change in land use that is jeopardizing the peasants culture and the region's biodiversity.
Community attitudes towards wildlife management in the Bolivian Chaco
Oryx, 2001
The process of community wildlife management in the Izozog area of the Bolivian Chaco began with participatory ®eld research ± self-monitoring of hunting activities and research on key game species. On-going discussions in community meetings have elicited seven wildlife management recommendations:
Abstract Conservation conflicts can arise in biosphere reserves when local people face restrictions on resource use and access, mainly in terms of subsistence. We studied the potential conservation conflict with subsistence hunting in two Maya communities (Los Petenes and El Remate) located in the zone of influence of Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Perceptions, interests and expectations of stakeholders regarding subsistence hunting in the reserve were recorded through semi-structured and in-depth interviews of peasant-hunters and reserve authorities, and participant observation was carried out in both communities. A total of 66 peasant-hunters were identified in Los Petenes (62%) and El Remate (38%). Overall, peasant-hunters acknowledged hunting for family subsistence and expressed the conviction to continue hunting in the region. They mentioned their enthusiasm for hunting, mainly individually and aimed at obtaining white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and perceived a recent reduction in potential prey locally. Although the law in Mexico does not prohibit subsistence hunting, external authorities stated that they have announced a generalized ban on hunting based on the precautionary principle to simplify enforcement both inside and outside the reserve. The de facto restriction on wildlife use, even for subsistence purposes, which was mentioned by external actors, conflicted with the local need and expectation of the contemporary Maya hunters to continue subsistence hunting in the region. Our study confirms the existence of a conservation conflict associated with this traditional practice in the reserve and provides necessary information for managing such conflict. Resumen En reservas de la biósfera, los conflictos de conservación pueden emerger cuando las poblaciones locales enfrentan restricciones de uso y acceso a sus recursos, principalmente de subsistencia. Para explorar esto, estudiamos el conflicto de conservación potencialmente asociado a la cacería de subsistencia en dos comunidades mayas (Los Petenes y El Remate) ubicadas en la zona de influencia de la Reserva de la Biósfera Los Petenes, México. Las percepciones y expectativas de los actores locales sobre la cacería de subsistencia, fueron registradas a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas y a profundidad aplicadas a campesinos-cazadores y autoridades de la reserva, realizando observación participante en cada comunidad. Un total de 66 campesinos-cazadores fueron reconocidos en Los Petenes (62%) y en El Remate (38%). Ellos expresaron su gusto por la cacería, principalmente individual y orientada a la obtención de venado cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus), percibiendo una disminución reciente de presas potenciales a nivel local. A pesar de que la cacería de subsistencia no está prohibida por ley en México, las autoridades externas han difundido, con base en el principio precautorio, que la cacería en general está prohibida para facilitar su control dentro y fuera del área protegida. Esta restricción de facto sobre el uso de fauna silvestre, aún con fines de subsistencia, contrasta con la necesidad y expectativa del cazador maya contemporáneo de continuar practicando la cacería de subsistencia regionalmente. Nuestro estudio confirma el conflicto de conservación asociado a esta práctica tradicional en el ámbito de la reserva y aporta información necesaria para manejar tal conflicto.
The Catch-22 of Conservation: Indigenous Peoples, Biologists, and Cultural Change
Resurgent protectionists advocate a return to strict nature protection characterized by excluding most people from ecologically fragile areas. Certain groups of indigenous residents, namely those with low population densities, simple technologies, and subsistence economies, are seen as conservation friendly, but groups who are experiencing demographic growth, using Western technologies, and producing for the market are perceived as incompatible with biodiversity conservation. Using insights from common property theory as well as ethnographic observations of the Huaorani Indians of Ecuador, I illustrate how such assumptions constitute a "conservation Catch-22" in which cultural conditions deemed compatible with biodiversity conservation are precisely those from which we would not predict conservationist practices to emerge. Romanticized conditions deemed harmonious with nature lack the incentives necessary for people to develop conservationist practices. Conservation is not a state of being, but a social process inextricably linked to social and political institutions influencing resource management.
When Cultures Clash with Nature Conservation: Considering Indigenous Cultures' Relationship with Nature, 2020
To make a case for considering the cultural context in conservation policies, this essay explains how indigenous peoples cultures and nature conservation can conflict with one another, but also benefit one another. Firstly, the views on the human/nature relationship of indigenous cultures, modern culture and exclusionary conservation are compared. Secondly, we recognize the roles of indigenous peoples in nature conservation and compare indigenous land use practices with the land sharing approach. Finally, we will conclude on the importance of integrating the insights of indigenous peoples in nature conservation.
Wildlife in the life of local people of the semi-arid Argentine Chaco
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2006
The semi-arid Argentine Chaco is inhabited by mestizo people, who live on an economy of subsistence based on the use of natural resources and livestock ranching. I investigated the dietary and economic importance of wildlife for local people. Through interviews and participant observation, I found that wildlife is used primarily as food, providing about a third of the total meat consumed by local peasants. Local people use at least 26 species of wildlife although they concentrate on few species. Small species, Chacoan cavies and armadillos, are consumed most, representing 48% of the total wild meat consumed. Consumption of wild meat follows seasonal patterns determined by hunting methods, preferences for meat quality and species activity patterns. The consumptive value of wild meat is high in comparison with wages, but lower in comparison with forest exploitation. Illegal commercialization of wildlife is practiced mainly by villagers and by outsiders and it affects endangered species. Patterns of use of wildlife by local people differ from other Latin American groups in terms of the range of species hunted and the role that hunting plays in local people’ livelihoods. The first steps towards conservation of this increasingly threatened region should involve decreasing hunting by local people of the more vulnerable species and controlling all illegal commercial hunting.