Area of Focus: Biocultural Diversity

Created: Sep 16, 2007
Updated: Sep 23, 2008

Biocultural Diversity

Definition

Biocultural Diversity refers to the fundamental linkages and interdependence between the various manifestations of the diversity of life: biodiversity, cultural diversity, and linguistic diversity. These various manifestations of the diversity of life are under threat by some of the same forces, yet, both in scientific inquiry and in the realms of policy and management, nature and culture are often treated as separate and unrelated entities. There still isn't adequate appreciation of the relevance of the vast variety of approaches to human-environment relationships that have developed across the world's diverse cultures, often through close interactions with the natural environment and based on a perception of humans as part of, not separate from, nature.

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Featured Event

The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2008: "A Diverse and Sustainable World"

Resources

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Energy, Biodiversity and Climate Change

A series of papers on the intersections between Energy, Biodiversity and Climate Change

In “Regaining control of community forests under trust land in Kenya” Mumbi Murage points to the fact that most communities derive their knowledge through a process of constant interaction between humans and nature, and by losing one's eco-feature they would be losing a column of accumulated knowledge.

“Mapping for Human Rights” by Muthee Thuku reviews the different kinds of mapping and their role in natural resources management, in human rights and in the defining of social economic justice parameters.

Related WiserEarth Portals

Biodiversity Conservation

Conservation Biology

Cultural Diversity

Domesticated Animal Diversity

Domesticated Plant Conservation

Ethnobotany

Indigenous People and Culture

Language Revitalization

Seed Conservatio

Featured Group

BioCultural Diversity Working Group

Professionals and community members involved in biocultural diversity work will find a place to share experiences, text and multimedia resources, as well as a space to share thoughts and dialog through online forums.

Featured Organizations

[A member of the Tado community from Flores Island (Indonesia) holds an edible fern, part of their wild-harvesting traditions." (Photo credit: Jeanine Pfeiffer/ECO-SEA).]

The Traditional Knowledge Initiative of the United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies, seeks to build greater understanding and facilitate awareness of traditional knowledge (TK) to inform action by indigenous peoples, local communities and domestic and international policy makers. Key outputs include research activities, policy studies, capacity development and online learning and dissemination.

International Society of Ethnobiology is committed to achieving a greater understanding of the complex relationships, both past and present, that exist within and between human societies and their environments. The Society endeavors to promote an harmonious existence between humankind and the Bios for the benefit of future generations.

Global Diversity Foundation promotes the richness of local cultures and their environments around the world.

We are concerned about the future of the biodiversity that people tend, the languages they speak and the ways they interact with their cultural landscapes.

Terralingua supports the integrated protection, maintenance and restoration of the biocultural diversity of life - the world's biological, cultural and linguistic diversity - thrugh an innovative program of research, education, policy relevant work, and on the ground action.

Keywords
arts,linguistic diversity,cultural diversity,traditional knowledge,cultural and spiritual values,cultural pluralism,culture,protection,conservation,oral history,skills,tradition,family life, community,stability,cultural heritage,tribe,tribal,aborigines,native peoples,first peoples,autochthonous,education,minority,racism,cultural diversity,cultural freedom,population,traditions,healing,ethnobotany,human rights,discrimination,autonomy,social exclusion,earth medicine,herbal medicines, ethnobiology

Coast Salish Nation Documentary