Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-90-Xx).

In landscape ecology, it is widely acknowledged that landscape is as much a social and cultural entity as it is biophysical, and that people and place must be jointly considered to fully understand the evolution of spatial pattern. This thesis explores the overlapping biophysical and human dimensions of landscape in the context of an (i) ecological and (ii) ethnoecological classification on the local landscape of the Tayal Mrqwang indigenous people in north central Taiwan. The goal of the ecological classification was to identify ecosystem types for a ~3000 acre landscape by relating vegetation patterns to gradients of physiography, soil, humidity, light, pixel brightness, and human modification across 76 transect sample plots. Using multivariate analyses, seven ecosystem types were identified, ranging from xeric through submesic pine, bamboo, alder, and laurel forests to mesic evergreen broadleaved and mixed coniferous forests. At the broad scale, ecosystems were distributed along gradients of elevation, soil, humidity and human modification, while factors related to local variability in physiography and soil development were more important at the fine scale (i.e., within elevational ecoregions). Within lower elevation sites in particular, patterns of forest variation and soil development were resonant of ancestral practices, including shifting cultivation, terrace farming, arboriculture, and selective extraction. The objective of the ethnoecological classification was to explore whether the Mrqwang people categorize landscape variation according to systematic or multidimensional knowledge structures. Results of interviews and free-listing exercises revealed an unsystematized classification that recognizes a continuum of forest variation through the intersection of three overlapping categories: history of disturbance, topography and substrate, vegetation. These categories are modified through land tenure and toponyms. The classification appears accommodating of personal experience, and it is theorized that this flexibility results in dynamic knowledge that evolves with time, generating variable characterizations of forest variation rather than formalized categories. The thesis concludes that despite the lack of formalization, the Tayal are nonetheless highly cognizant of how current forest variation coincides with the environment and the activities of their ancestors. This knowledge represents immense local expertise and must not be excluded from conservation and co-management projects in the local area. / NSERC CGS-D

Submitted by Vasti Dinizmm (vastijpa@hotmail.com) on 2017-07-26T13:42:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 5779145 bytes, checksum: 5cbba6d3ca6627f2bed031fdbe1ef424 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-26T13:42:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 5779145 bytes, checksum: 5cbba6d3ca6627f2bed031fdbe1ef424 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The artisanal fishing is a secular activity developed by men and characterized by small scale exploitation of fisheries that serves as family income and subsistence. Currently, the coastal marine environment of Brazil has been suffering substantial degradation processes, due to the growing anthropic pressure and over-exploitation of natural resources. In the State of Paraiba, relevant studies suggest significant declines in fish catches by artisanal fisheries. Thus, the development of fisheries management plans that involve the interests of all individuals is critical, aiming the sustainability of fisheries. To achieve this, it is necessary to prioritize the use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of the local fishing communities, which is characterized as a set of knowledge and practices developed through adaptive processes in the relationship of living beings and the environment. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the artisanal fishing of Penha and Ponta do Seixas communities, located in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba State, through the description of their ethno-ecological aspects and the possible relationship between the amount of fish caught and overfishing. Artisanal fishery communities of Penha and Ponta do Seixas, located in the south of João Pessoa coast, in Paraíba state, were characterized by the use of scientific knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of local fishermen. The TEK proved to be essential in the data collection, perception of fish stocks, and overfishing of certain species. The study was conducted through landing reports, unstructured interviews, participant observation, structured, and semi structured interviews. Motorized boats were the main vessels used by fishermen. Eight different fishing strategies have been identified, and the most used were the handline and bottom gillnet. Fifty three species of fishes were recorded, 24 through the monitoring of landings (captured with handline) and 29 from interviews. In total 7,670.4kg of fishes were sampled in 28 landings between February 2015 and January 2016. Among the 27 recorded families: Carangidae, Lutjanidae, and Serranidae stood out. The most captured species were: ‘guarajuba’ (Carangoides bartholomaei), ‘arabaiana’ (Seriola dumerili); ‘peixe-rei’ (Elegatis bipinnulatus), and ‘xixarro’ (Carangoides crysos). Most of landings were recorded during the summer, although no significant differences were observed between biomass and species richness captured during summer and winter. It was proposed the Index of the Fishery Importance (IPP) in order to highlight species, according to their biological, ecological, and commercial characteristics, that are more valued in the studied communities. According to the criteria of the IPP, five species stood out: ‘guarajuba’ (Carangoides bartholomaei), ‘arabaiana’ (Seriola dumerili), ‘xixarro’ (Carangoides crysos), ‘cioba’ (Lutjanus analis), and ‘peixe-rei’ (Elegatis bipinnulatus). Furthermore, it was used the Smith’s salience index (IS), which is based on higher frequency values and coincidence of items, by which: ‘cioba’ (Lutjanus analis), ‘guarajuba’ (Carangoides bartholomaei), ‘cavala’ (Scomberomorus cavalla), ‘xixarro’ (Carangoides crysos), and serra (Scomberomorus brasiliensis) stood out. In order to get more information on the biology, ecology and fisheries aspects of these species, an ethnobiological study was conducted with local fishermen. It was observed that fishermen have a vast knowledge of fish species, especially those considered most important according to the values of the IPP and IS. Therefore, it is suggested that fishermen’s TEK should be used in aid of scientific research conducted in the region as well as in discussion of fisheries resources management that may be developed in the area. / A pesca artesanal é uma atividade secular desenvolvida pelo homem, caracterizada pela exploração em pequena escala dos recursos pesqueiros, que servem como renda e subsistência familiar. Atualmente, os ambientes costeiros marinhos do Brasil vêm sofrendo consideráveis processos de degradação, decorrentes da crescente pressão antrópica e sobre-exploração de recursos. Na Paraíba, importantes trabalhos apontam para o declínio considerável nas capturas de peixes pela pesca artesanal. Assim, torna-se urgente o desenvolvimento de planos de manejo pesqueiros que envolvam os interesses de todos os indivíduos, buscando a sustentabilidade da pesca. Para tanto, deve-se priorizar a utilização do Conhecimento Ecológico Local (CEL) das comunidades de pescadores, caracterizado como um conjunto de saberes e práticas desenvolvidos através de processos adaptativos na relação dos seres vivos com o ambiente. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização da pesca artesanal das comunidades da Penha e Ponta do Seixas, localizadas em João Pessoa, Paraíba, através da descrição de seus aspectos etnoecológicos e, a possível relação entre a quantidade de peixes e a sobrepesca de espécies. O estudo foi realizado através de acompanhamentos de desembarques, entrevistas não estruturadas, observação participante, entrevistas estruturadas e semiestruturadas. Barcos motorizados foram as principais embarcações utilizadas pelos pescadores. Foram identificados oito diferentes estratégias de pesca, com destaque para a linha de mão e rede de emalhe afundada. Foram registradas 53 espécies de peixes, 24 através do acompanhamento de desembarques (capturadas com linha de mão) e 29 a partir de entrevistas. Ao total foram amostrados 7.670,4kg de peixes, em 28 desembarques realizados entre fevereiro de 2015 e janeiro de 2016. Dentre as 27 famílias registradas, destacaram-se: Carangidae, Lutjanidae e Serranidae. As espécies mais capturadas foram: guarajuba (Carangoides bartholomaei), arabaiana (Seriola dumerili); peixe-rei (Elegatis bipinnulatus) e xixarro (Carangoides crysos). A maior parte dos desembarques foi registrada durante o verão, embora não tenham sido observadas diferenças significativas entre a biomassa e riqueza de espécies capturadas durante o verão e inverno. Também foi utilizado o Índice de Importância Para a Pesca (IPP), a fim de revelar as espécies que, de acordo com suas características biológicas, ecológicas e comerciais, são mais valorizadas nas comunidades estudadas. Segundo os critérios do IPP, cinco espécies se destacaram: guarajuba (Carangoides bartholomaei), arabaiana (Seriola dumerili), xixarro (Carangoides crysos), cioba (Lutjanus analis) e peixe-rei (Elegatis bipinnulatus). De maneira complementar, foi proposto o Índice de Saliência (IS), que se baseia nos maiores valores de frequência e coincidência entre os itens citados, destacando-se: cioba (Lutjanus analis), guarajuba (Carangoides bartholomaei), cavala (Scomberomorus cavalla), xixarro (Carangoides crysos) e serra (Scomberomorus brasiliensis). Com o objetivo de obter maiores informações quanto à biologia, ecologia e aspectos pesqueiros destas espécies, foi realizado um estudo etnobiológico junto aos informantes chave. Observou-se que os pescadores possuem um vasto conhecimento sobre as espécies de peixes, especialmente àquelas consideradas mais importantes segundo os valores do IPP e IS. Desta forma, sugere-se que o CEL dos pescadores seja utilizado no auxílio de pesquisas científicas desenvolvidas na região, bem como em discussões de manejo de recursos pesqueiros que por ventura sejam desenvolvidos na área.

This research was aimed at determining the ethno-ornithological knowledge of three Mushere villages close to the Dulu Forest, Nigeria to determine whether this might hold potential for developing a local conservation programme to protect the forest. The conservation objective of the research was aimed at determining the drivers of forest degradation, and possible means of mitigation. Using a mixed method approach, quantitative/qualitative data were collected in two years from different demographics (men, women, children, age differentials, occupation, urbanization). Oral interviews, semi-structured interviews, picture elicitation tasks, free-listing exercises and focus group discussions were employed in the data collection process. The findings revealed a relatively low ethno-ornithological knowledge, and a general indifference (ornitho-apatheia) towards birds. Knowledge transmission was predominantly through oral means while TEK acquisition was mainly through vertical and horizontal methods. While adults perceived birds as not valuable, children generally perceived birds as valuable. Cultural utilization and ecological salience were the main drivers of bird naming and knowledge. However, there was a high valuing of the Dulu forest, with the main drivers of the forest degradation being timber extraction. Overall, I concluded that the indifference of the Mushere towards birds revealed a lack of cultural appreciation of birds, leading to little TEK of birds, insufficient to encourage the use of TEK of birds in the conservation of the Dulu forest, and the use of birds as flagship domain for promoting conservation. However, a sustained approach towards encouraging birding activities could improve the perception of birds. I therefore suggest using an ecosystem approach in the conservation of the Dulu forest. Engaging the locals in dialogue, establishing a leadership structure for the management of the Dulu forest, providing alternative means of livelihoods are suggested as ways of mitigating the degradation of the Dulu forest.

<p>This dissertation is a policy driven ethnography of smallholder and alternative farmers in Indiana that centers food justice and utilizes interdisciplinary frameworks to analyze the adaptive strategies that farmers use to address the specific challenges they face. Through the implementation of adaptive strategies such as regenerative growing practices, the cultivation of community, stewardship of the land, and an emphasis on transparency, the smallholders I worked with over the course of this study negotiate complex agricultural spaces and build the resilience of their farmsteads and the communities they serve. Smallholder and alternative farmers in Indiana are reimagining the agricultural spaces they occupy and driving transformational change of dominant narratives and local food systems. Critiques of conventional agriculture and commodity production are not intended to reify binary perceptions of the agricultural paradigm, but rather to demonstrate that the critical role of smallholder and alternatives farmers should be valued as well. </p> <p> </p> <p>This research draws on four years of ethnographic research, archival sources, and close readings of policy measures and media reports to illuminate the historical context that has positioned smallholders in juxtaposition to large-scale conventional agriculture, and the critical role of smallholder farmers in driving food systems change while centering food justice and community resiliency. The driving research questions for the following essays follow: Why have small scale and alternative farmers chosen to farm (and farm differently)? What specific challenges do they face and how might these challenges be better addressed by existing support systems and new legislation? What can be learned from the alternative narratives and reimagined spaces smallholder farmers engage with? This work joins the growing body of research that challenges agricultural meta-narratives by presenting a counter-narrative of smallholder resilience and the <i>a priori</i> notion that posits agricultural technology as a panacea for everything from world hunger to economics to environmental concerns. </p>