No Nordeste do Brasil, o estuário do Rio São Francisco apresenta extensas áreas de manguezais (32 km2) cujos recursos são utilizados por populações humanas. Este estudo considerou a metodologia de sistemas sócio-ecológicos complexos para analisar a pesca nos manguezais desse estuário, com ênfase no caranguejo Ucides cordatus. Por meio da integração de dados de diferentes áreas (etnobiologia, levantamentos socioeconômicos, estrutura populacional do caranguejo, características da vegetação, arranjo espacial da paisagem, sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento) em uma análise multicritério foi determina e mapeada a aptidão dos manguezais para a conservação e a pesca dessa espécie. Uma diversidade de recursos pesqueiros do manguezal (por exemplo, peixes, caranguejos e moluscos), constitui a principal base da economia de subsistência local, em que o caranguejo U. cordatus é o mais importante. As populações locais possuem um vasto conhecimento sobre o tamanho populacional e corporal, ciclo de vida, diferenciação sexual e habitat dessa espécie, e aplicam práticas conservacionistas no uso da redinha. A estrutura populacional do caranguejo revelou um alto potencial pesqueiro, com maior abundância de caranguejos de tamanho comercial do que os de tamanho não comercial. Os manguezais mais aptos para a conservação de U. cordatus (9,4 km2) estão localizados próximos à foz e apresentam alta abundância de caranguejos não comerciais, baixa densidade de caranguejos comerciais e baixo grau de utilização para a pesca. Os manguezais mais aptos para a pesca (10,2 km2) estão distantes da foz e apresentam alta abundância de caranguejos de tamanho comercial, baixa densidade de caranguejos em tamanho não comercial, caranguejos grandes, médio a alto grau de uso e estão próximos aos povoados. Os mapas de aptidão gerados podem auxiliar as agências governamentais no delineamento de áreas extrativistas e de exclusão da pesca, como sugerido no Plano Nacional de Gestão para o Uso Sustentável do Caranguejo-uçá / In Northeastern Brazil, the São Francisco River Estuary comprises a significant mangrove area (32 km2) used by local human populations. This study considered the framework of socio-ecological systems to analyze the mangrove fishery in this estuary, with emphasis on the crab Ucides cordatus. By the integration of data from different fields (etnobiology and socio-economic surveys, crab population structure, vegetation features, landscape arrangement, remote sensing and geoprocessing) in a multi-criteria analysis, we determined and mapped the suitability of the mangroves for the conservation and fishery of this species. We found that a diversity of mangrove fisheries (e.g. fish, crabs and mollusks) constitute the main base of the local subsistence economy, wherein the Ucides cordatus is the most important. The local populations have a substantial knowledge about this crab population and body sizes, life cycle, sexual differentiation, behavior and habitat, and apply conservation practices in the use of the \"redinha\". The population structure of the crab U. cordatus revealed a high fishery potential, with higher abundance (frequency and density) of crabs in commercial size than the non-commercial sized crabs. The mangroves more suitable for the crab conservation (9.4 km2) are those close to the river mouth, showing high abundance of non-commercial crabs, low density of commercial crabs and low degree of use for fishery. On the other hand, the mangroves more suitable for the crab fishery (10.2 km2) are those located far from to river mouth, showing high density and frequency of crabs in commercial size, low density of crabs in non-commercial size, big sized crabs, medium to high degree of use, and are close to the fishery villages. The maps of suitability can aid government agencies in delineating extractive and fishery exclusion areas, as stated by the Proposal of a National Management Plan for this crab, in order to achieve a sustainable fishery

O conhecimento ecológico local (CEL) é o conhecimento que indivíduos de uma população possuem sobre o ambiente em que vivem e o recurso que exploram. Informações derivadas do CEL podem ajudar a melhorar e ampliar o conhecimento biológico. O presente estudo teve como objetivos principais: 1) analisar o CEL de pescadores de lagoas costeiras do sul do Brasil sobre mudanças no ambiente ao longo de 20 anos, bem como sobre a composição e a abundância da ictiofauna (Capítulo 1); 2) analisar o CEL dos pescadores sobre duas espécies invasoras: o mexilhão dourado (Limnoperna fortunei) e o peixe porrudo (Trachelyopterus lucenai) (Capítulo 2). No primeiro capítulo foram comparados os dados de CEL com dados de coleta científica de peixes e dados de geoprocessamento em 15 lagoas no Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, de Palmares do Sul (30°15'28"S 50°30'36"O) até Torres (29°20'06"S 49°43'37"O). No segundo capítulo foi analisada a possibilidade do uso de CEL dos pescadores em estudos sobre espécies invasoras, nas mesmas lagoas. No total, 146 pescadores artesanais foram entrevistados com uso de questionários semi-estruturados padronizados. Os pescadores foram selecionados para o estudo através de indicações de outros entrevistados. Não houve correlação entre a abundância de peixes coletados (N= 3884) e peixes citados como mais capturados pelos entrevistados (N= 146), além de não se correlacionarem também peixes coletados com peixes que aumentaram ou diminuíram de abundância segundo os pescadores. As mudanças ambientais mais citadas pelos entrevistados foram poluição (18,1%), lagoas mais rasas (14,2%), impactos de lavouras (12,7%), construções no entorno (9,3%) e menos vegetação no entorno (8,6%). Essas mudanças ambientais citadas pelos entrevistados foram correlacionadas com dados de uso e ocupação do solo, estimados através da análise de imagens de geoprocessamento: porcentagem no entorno das lagoas de área antrópica, de agropecuária, de agricultura, e de florestas. Obteve-se correlação positiva significativa apenas entre os impactos causados pelas lavouras, segundo os entrevistados, e área de agricultura no entorno da lagoa (rs= 0,62 e p= 0,01). Quanto às espécies invasoras, a maioria (83%) dos 146 entrevistados afirmou conhecer o porrudo e 112 entrevistados que conhecem o porrudo disseram que o mesmo ocorre no local. Metade (52%) dos entrevistados respondeu que conhece o mexilhão dourado, sendo que 45 destes afirmam que o mesmo ocorre no local. Os pescadores que souberam precisar a data da invasão pelo porrudo (N= 84) disseram que o mesmo apareceu acerca de 6,1 (+-3,8) anos. Já para o mexilhão dourado os entrevistados que citaram uma provável data de invasão (N= 38) acreditam que o início da mesma se deu a aproximadamente 2,4 (+-1,4) anos. A discordância entre dados de etnoictiologia e dados de coleta científica pode servir para levantar questões interessantes que devam ser estudadas com maior atenção, dessa maneira contribuindo para melhorar os estudos científicos. Além disso, os objetivos da pesquisa científica tendem a ser diferentes dos objetivos que determinam o CEL dos pescadores. Esse estudo sugere ainda que o CEL de pescadores pode ser um bom indicador para o estudo de invasões biológicas. / Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is the knowledge that individuals in a population have about the environment where they live and the resources that they explore. This study had two main objectives: 1)to analyze the LEK of fishermen about changes in the environment and about the composition and abundance of the ichthyofauna (Chapter 1); 2)to analyze the LEK of fishermen about two invasive species in subtropical coastal lagoons: the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) and fish porrudo (Trachelyopterus lucenai) (Chapter 2). In the first chapter, data from fishers‟ LEK was compared with experimental fish sampling and geoprocessing data in15 lagoons from the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, from Palmares do Sul (30°15'28"S 50°30'36"O) to Torres (29°20'06"S 49°43'37"O). In the second chapter we analyzed the potential application of LEK to studies about invasive species in the same lagoons. A total of 146 artisanal fishermen were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The fishermen were selected using a method were one interviewee indicated the next one. We did not observe correlation between the abundance of collected fishes (N= 3884) and fishes mentioned by fishermen (N= 146) as being the most captured ones. We also did not observe correlation between the abundance of collected fishes and the fishes quoted by fishermen as being the ones that have their abundance increased or reduced. We also correlated environmental changes most mentioned by the interviewees, such as increase in pollution (18,1%), shallower lagoons (14,2%), impacts of farming in the lagoons (12,7%), construction in the surrounding areas (9,3%) and decrease in vegetation in the surrounding areas (8,6%), with data of use and occupation of the soil, which was estimated through analyses of geoprocessing images, such as percentage of anthropic area, livestock, agricultural and forested area in the surrounding areas of the lagoons. For the invasive species, the majority (83%) of the 146 interviewed fishers claimed to know the porrudo and 112 said that it occurs at the site. Half (52%) of respondents reported they know the golden mussel and 45 fishers mentioned that it occurs at the site. The fishermen who knew the exact date of the invasion by porrudo claimed its appearance to an average of 6.1 (+-3.8) years. As to the golden mussel, the interviewees believe that the beginning of the invasion occurred at 2.4 (+-1.4) years in average. The disagreement between ethnoicthyological data and data from scientific collections may be useful to raise interesting questions that deserve more attention, contributing to improve scientific studies. Furthermore, the objectives of scientific research are not the same as the objectives that determines fishermen LEK. This study suggests also that fishermen LEK may be an useful indicator for the study of biological invasions.

Esta tese é resultado de um estudo antropológico sobre territorialidades Kaingang (Jê Meridional) e seu pertencimento aos territórios da margem leste do Lago Guaíba, onde se situa a cidade de Porto Alegre e suas paisagens ecossociais. Procura-se reconstituir estas territorialidades a partir de uma perspectiva etnohistórica e etnográfica na intenção de conhecer como determinados espaços desta região vêm sendo reconhecidos pelos Kaingang enquanto Kanhgág Ga - Terra Kaingang, os elementos materiais e simbólicos que, desde o ponto de vista Kaingang, são importantes para a configuração do pertencimento a estes espaços e as condutas territoriais empregadas por pessoas e grupos para convertê-los efetivamente em parte de seu território. Interessam os campos de relações com a fauna, a flora, a paisagem, os homens e os espíritos que integram o que os Kaingang chamam Mrur Jykre: um modo de vida centrado no manejo dos cipós que habitam as florestas locais e com os quais estes índios fabricam objetos que comercializam para sustentar seu viver na Ymã Mág, a Aldeia Grande, a grande cidade. / This thesis is the result of an anthropological study about the Kaingang (Jê Meridional) lands and the fact of this lands take part of the territories of the east side of the Guaíba Lake, where the city of Porto Alegre and its eco-social landscapes are located. The goal is to reconstruct this territories from a etnohistorical perspective, trying to discover how some spaces of this region have been recognized by the Kaingang as Kanhgãg Ga - Kaingang land, the material and symbolic elements that, from the Kaingang point of view, are important to the foundation of their belonging to this spots and the territorial behavior used by individuals and groups to transform this spaces into their territory. The relationship with both the animal and vegetable worlds, the landscapes, the people and spiritual worls that form what the Kaingang call Mrur Jykre - the way of life based in the handicrafts this indians make using the lianas they collect in the local forests, wich is their way of making a living in the Ymã Mág - the great village, the big city.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-09-01T13:22:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafael Ricardo Vasconcelos da Silva.pdf: 3678491 bytes, checksum: ec3f4ee8f9c805734dc6153747848d53 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-01T13:22:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafael Ricardo Vasconcelos da Silva.pdf: 3678491 bytes, checksum: ec3f4ee8f9c805734dc6153747848d53 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This research uses an ethnoecological approach to investigate the knowledge of the residents from district Macujê, city of Aliança, Pernambuco, about the fragment of Atlantic Forest "Forest of Guararema”. The objectives were: clarify the possible relations between forestry and ethnoecological research; describe and evaluate the reports of the target population about their relationship with the fragment "Forest of Guararema," including a historical perspective; set up a comparison of information from local (obtained from the target population) and formal (academic) knowledge about the forest; systematize information on the student´s perception (youth and adults), from a school of the district Macujê, in relation to the "Forest of Guararema”. In this sense, for collection and analysis from the non-school informants data, were used techniques of oral history, content analysis, open interviews, conducted tours, timelines and free listings. In the case of research conducted at school, with students, the application of generating questions, collective drawing of a map and discussion techniques were used. The local non-school informants indicated that they were excluded from the association with the forest because of the conservation model implemented by state agencies and the sugarcane industries in the region. However, the students tended to have a "conservationist" vision about the forest fragment (in which the human being is a mere spectator of nature), suggesting the interdiction of resources use activities, which they considered degrading. From the results it was possible to deepen the understanding of forest uses and knowledge by local human population, as well verify that the interaction of forestry technicians and researchers with a system of non-academic knowledge can be a tool for enhancement of local knowledge and also for the advancement of scientific knowledge. It stands out in this sense that the information gathered in this dissertation can contribute to the development of forest conservation strategies appropriate to local socio-cultural reality. / Nesta pesquisa utilizou-se uma abordagem etnoecológica para investigar os saberes de moradores do distrito de Macujê, município de Aliança, Pernambuco, sobre o fragmento de floresta atlântica “Mata da Guararema”. Os objetivos foram: esclarecer as possíveis relações entre as pesquisas silviculturais e as pesquisas etnoecológicas; descrever e avaliar os relatos da população-alvo sobre suas relações com o fragmento florestal “Mata da Guararema”, inclusive numa perspectiva histórica; estabelecer comparações entre as informações provenientes de conhecimentos locais (obtidos junto à população-alvo) e formais (acadêmicos) sobre a floresta; sistematizar informações sobre a percepção de alunos (jovens e adultos) de uma escola no distrito de Macujê em relação à “Mata da Guararema”. Na coleta e análise dos dados junto aos informantes não-escolares, utilizaram-se técnicas de história oral, análise de conteúdo, entrevistas abertas, turnês guiadas, linhas do tempo e listas livres. No caso da investigação realizada na escola, junto aos alunos, foram utilizadas as técnicas de aplicação de questões geradoras de dados, desenho coletivo de um mapa e debates. Os informantes locais não escolares indicaram que foram excluídos do convívio que tinham com a floresta, devido ao modelo de conservação implantado pelos órgãos estatais e pelas indústrias sucroalcooleiras da região. Já os alunos tenderam a apresentar uma visão “preservacionista” do fragmento florestal (na qual o ser humano é mero espectador da natureza), sugerindo interdições para atividades de uso de recursos, por eles consideradas degradantes. A partir dos resultados obtidos foi possível aprofundar a compreensão dos usos e conhecimentos da floresta pela população humana local, bem como verificar que a interação de técnicos e pesquisadores florestais com um sistema de conhecimento não acadêmico pode representar uma ferramenta para valorização do saber local e também para o avanço do saber científico. Destaca-se, neste sentido, que as informações reunidas podem contribuir na elaboração de estratégias de conservação florestal adequadas à realidade sociocultural local.

While wildfire is globally most common in the savanna-grassland ecotone, the flammability of coastal temperate rainforests is considered low and little is known regarding historic fire activity. Reconstructing historical fire activity typically requires dendrochronological records from fire-scarred trees and post-fire cohorts, but this type of information is rare in perhumid temperate rainforests, which are dominated by dense fuels with high year-round moisture content. I reconstructed historic fire activity using fire scars, tree rings, soil charcoal, and remote sensing techniques in a 2000 km2 island group located within the Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy on the coastal margin of central British Columbia. I broadly assessed 13,000 years of fire activity with charcoal deposited in soils, and reconstructed late Holocene fire events with a 700-year chronology built from living fire-scarred trees and stand establishment data. I used a weight of evidence approach to hypothesize the origins of fires and whether First Nations intentionally utilized fire for resource management. Low-severity fires occurred most frequently in forests surrounding former First Nations habitation sites, and lightning strikes do not occur often enough to explain the observed temporal or spatial patterns of fire activity in the study area. Low-severity fires occurred approximately every 39 years, and were 25 times more likely to occur than previously estimated. Fires influenced the composition and structure of vegetation by creating a mosaic of vegetation types in different stages of succession, and thus increased the abundance of culturally important food plants. Fire events have not occurred in the study area since 1893, which also coincides with the reduction of First Nations activities in their traditional territories. My data are consistent with the hypothesis that humans intentionally used fire to manage resources, though further research and ethnographic data collected elsewhere in the region is required to corroborate these findings. Ecological legacies of historic fires remain visible on the present day landscape, and by reconstructing the historic range of fire cycle variability we gain a better understanding of human-driven fire activity and the abrupt changes that occurred in the 20th century. / Graduate

La pêche repose sur des formes variées d’appropriation sociale des milieux aquatiques. Cette thèse s’attache à les définir dans le contexte particulier du bas Oyapock, estuaire d’un fleuve amazonien marquant la frontière entre la Guyane (France) et l’état d’Amapá (Brésil). Cet estuaire présente une importante diversité d’écosystèmes aquatiques (rivières, fleuves, forêts inondées, marais, mangrove et mer) et d’espèces végétales et animales qui les composent (près de 200 espèces y sont pêchées). La population du bas Oyapock forme un creuset culturel réunissant principalement Amérindiens, Créoles et Brésiliens, implantés dans deux villes et 40 villages. Par ailleurs, la présence d’un parc national sur le littoral brésilien et de trois territoires amérindiens implique des réglementations de l’accès aux ressources diverses. Dans ce contexte riche en diversité écologique et culturelle où émergent des conflits d’usage sur les territoires de pêche, cette thèse propose une lecture des dynamiques d’appropriation des ressources aquatiques. Les résultats s’appuient sur des données ethnographiques collectées d’octobre 2012 à octobre 2014. Celles-ci comprennent plus de 70 entretiens, 32 observations de sorties de pêche, l’inventaire du matériel de pêche, l’identification de 195 espèces pêchées et l’étude des taxonomies locales. L’étude des savoirs des pêcheurs révèle une connaissance fine des milieux aquatiques et de leurs rythmes, de l’écologie et de l’éthologie des animaux. Les pêcheurs fabriquent une grande variété d’engins de pêche adaptés tant aux espèces qu’aux espaces. Sur la base des savoirs partagés par les pêcheurs, différents groupes se distinguent et se spécialisent en fonction de grands milieux écologiques (savanes; fleuve et forêt ; embouchure et mer). La création de parcs nationaux, le contrôle croissant des flux transfrontaliers, l’urbanisation et la migration sont autant de changements contemporains auxquels les pêcheurs doivent faire face. Dans ce contexte, trois groupes d’habitants se démarquent : les pêcheurs professionnels de Saint-Georges (Guyane), ceux d’Oiapoque (Brésil) et les villageois Amérindiens de l’Uaçá (Brésil). Ils s’inscrivent dans une démarche de reconnaissance formelle de leur territoires de pêche afin d’en garantir l’accès à long terme. Engagés dans différentes stratégies, la réussite de leur démarche dépend de la prise en compte de leurs spécificités par les États. / Fishing is based on various forms of social appropriation of aquatic environment. This thesis seeks to define them in the specific context of the Lower Oyapock, estuary of an Amazonian river delineating the border between French Guyana and Amapá state (Brazil). This estuary presents a high variety of aquatic ecosystems (streams, rivers, flooded forests, swamps, mangroves and sea) and is home of high diversity of plant and animal species (over 200 species are caught). The population of the Lower Oyapock forms a cultural melting-pot principally composed by Amerindians, Creoles and Brazilians, established in two towns and 40 villages. Moreover, the presence of a national park along the Brazilian coast and three indigenous lands imply a regulation of access to natural resources. In this context rich in ecological and cultural diversity, where emerge conflicts over fishing territories, this thesis proposes a reading of the dynamics of appropriation of aquatic resources. Results are based on ethnographic data collected from October 2012 to October 2014. They range from more than 70 interviews, 32 fishing trips observations, the inventory of fishing gear, the identification of 195 fishes species, and a study of local taxonomies. The study of fishers’ knowledge reveals a detailed expertise about the aquatic environments, notably their rhythms, and the animal ecology and behavior. Fishermen make an important variety of fishing equipment adapted to both species and spaces. Based on the way knowledge is shared, different fishermen’s groups are characterized and specialized according to the ecological conditions/features (savanna; river and forests; river mouth and sea). Creation of national parks, increasing controls of cross-border flows, urbanization and migration are all contemporary challenges the fishermen are confronting. In this context, three residents groups stand out: professional fishermen from Saint-Georges (French Guyana), those from Oiapoque (Brazil), and the Indigenous villagers from Uaçá (Brazil). These three groups aim to obtain an official recognition of their fishing territories in order to ensure long-term access. Engaged in various strategies, their success in the process hinges on the States’ consideration of their specificities.

Les habitats uniques de l'écotone forêt boréale-subarctique dans le nord du Canada subissent les contrecoups du changement climatique. Combinés aux effets de la mondialisation, les changements environnementaux touchent les Inuits de cette région et imposent des contraintes importantes sur leur mode de vie traditionnel, ce qui a des répercussions sur leur langue et les savoirs qui l'accompagnent. Cette étude compare deux aspects de l’ethnobiologie inuite : a) les noms et les utilisations des plantes par les Inuits de Nain, Nunatsiavut, suivis par une comparaison des utilisations avec la communauté inuite de Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, et b) une analyse des types de lieux ou d’habitats que les Inuits reconnaissent et nomment. Des interviews semi-dirigés ont été menés à Nain, Nunatsiavut et à Kangiqsualujjuaq, au Nunavik. Les plantes mentionnées sont utilisées comme aliment, thé, médecine, combustible, construction, nettoyage, et autres utilisations. Les deux communautés ont utilisé un nombre égal de plantes, avec des proportions équivalentes de taxons vasculaires/invasculaires, de formes de croissance (habitus), et d’espèces par catégorie d'utilisation. Les éléments du paysage les plus fréquemment rapportés sont d’ordre topographique, hydrologique ou écologique. L’intégration des concepts inuits, quant aux plantes et au paysage, à ceux de la science occidentale peut améliorer notre compréhension de l'écologie subarctique, aider à impliquer les acteurs locaux dans les décisions sur le développement de leur territoire et, conséquemment, modifier l'aménagement du territoire ainsi que les initiatives de conservation de la biodiversité. Ces concepts ont également des répercussions sur les stratégies d'adaptation face aux changements climatiques. / Unique habitats of the boreal-subarctic ecotone in northeastern Canada are being impacted by climate change. Combined with effects of globalization, changing environmental conditions are causing Inuit of this region to see significant strains on their traditional lifestyle and on the language and knowledge that go with it. This study compared two aspects of Inuit ethnobiology: we compared plant names and uses from two Inuit communities and examined what kinds of places or habitats Inuit recognize and name. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Nain, Nunatsiavut and Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, by showing interviewees (mostly Elders) plant specimens or photos of the region. Plants were used for food, tea, medicine, fuel, construction, cleaning, and other uses. Both communities used equal numbers of plants, with equivalent proportions of vascular/non-vascular taxa, growth forms, and species per use category. Forty-three species were reported in each community, for a total of 78 species from 39 families. Despite high overlap in species distributions, only half of all species were shared, reflecting community-specific bodies of traditional knowledge, or perhaps an overall decline in ethnobotanical knowledge use. The most frequently reported landscape features were topographical, hydrological, and ecological (i.e. plant associations and animal habitats). Some Inuit categories reflected their significance to traditional Inuit lifestyle (e.g. ‘berry-patch’, ‘seal-place’), aiding navigation and resource finding. Integrating Inuit conceptions of plants and landscape with those of contemporary science can improve our understanding of subarctic ecology, help involve local stakeholders in sustainable development discussions, and inform land-use planning, biodiversity conservation initiatives, and climate change adaptation strategies.

Eelgrass, Zostera marina L. (Zosteraceae), is a flowering marine plant in coastal regions in the Northern hemisphere. Apart from its significance as habitat for a diversity of marine organisms, it has been a direct resource in European and American economies, and once was a food source for people along the Pacific Coast of North America. This interdisciplinary study documented protocols and specifics of the Kwakwaka’wakw ts’áts’ayem (eelgrass) harvesting tradition in British Columbia, and how their methods of harvesting affected the remaining plants’ growth. Through interviewing 18 traditional eelgrass harvesters and participating in six harvesting sampling events, I documented the detailed protocols of the Kwakwaka’wakw eelgrass harvesting tradition. Based on the protocols of traditional ts’áts’ayem harvesting, I developed harvesting removal experiments in a dense Z. marina populations on Quadra Island (2005) and at Tsawwassen (2006) to examine the effects that traditional harvesting of eelgrass would have had on a shoot production and rhizome internode volume, within a growing season. At the Quadra site, a June treatment of between approximately 15 and 56% shoot removal corresponded with shoot regeneration above original numbers. An approximate 60% removal corresponded with the highest new shoot production after treatment, indicating the strong capacity of eelgrass meadows to promote new shoots after removal disturbance. Based on fieldwork with traditional knowledge holders, I estimate that traditionally harvesting would have been between 10-30% removal within areas the size of the experimental plots. Shoot regeneration, net shoot production and rhizome production results at the Quadra site supported the theory that a light amount of harvesting removal such that was conducted by Kwakwaka’wakw harvesters would have been within a level for full regeneration, and possibly even enhanced shoot population and rhizome production (measured by internode volume). Tsawwassen experiment treatment was applied too late in the season to show an effect of harvest, but the design provided efficient methodology for future experiments. Ecology literature substantiated many of the traditional eelgrass protocols documented in this study, strongly supporting the theory that eelgrass harvesting was a sustainable practice. Scientific literature about pollution also corroborated and explained the observations of elders on the state of today’s eelgrass: few locations yielded ts’áts’ayem fit to eat, as specimens were small, had heavy epiphytic growth and dark rhizomes that Kwakwaka’wakw consultants had not seen in their youth. The combination of traditional ecological knowledge and scientific inquiry holds much potential for providing a better understanding of eelgrass ecology and dynamics, and for defining concepts of sustainability and conservation of this important resource.

The Nuu-chah-nulth and other First Nations of coastal British Columbia used to maintain gardens of indigenous plants with edible roots on their estuarine tidal flats. Tasty and nutritious, these roots were carefully tended and nurtured to enhance their productivity and quality. Within the last century, the Nuu-chah-nulth diet has changed significantly, and these indigenous root vegetables are not as well known. This community-based action research project (The λ’aayaʕas Project) was suggested by members of the Nuu-chah-nulth communities of Clayoquot Sound, as a way of maintaining and strengthening traditional knowledge, cultural identity and ultimately, community health and well-being through renewal of awareness of these and other traditional foods. The λ’aayaʕas project engaged students and community members of all ages in a diverse range of activities aimed at revitalizing the knowledge, skills and cultural practices involved in caring for traditional root gardens. These activities have included: hosting community steam-pit cooking events; learning from knowledgeable community members; re-creating a root garden in the community of Ahousaht; and implementing and observing the results of traditional management techniques on a root garden plot at the Atleo River estuary. This thesis documents the development of this community action research project and examines the role of ecocultural restoration projects in providing opportunities to strengthen and facilitate the connection of youth to their land and culture through experiential learning. Discussions incorporate a summary of feedback and reflections on the project, and of the revitalization of traditional iv knowledge and practices locally, globally and in the future. In closing, I draw together thoughts and ideas from local community members and others who recognize and hope to revitalize the inextricable relationships between cultural and ecological health and diversity.

Les habitats uniques de l'écotone forêt boréale-subarctique dans le nord du Canada subissent les contrecoups du changement climatique. Combinés aux effets de la mondialisation, les changements environnementaux touchent les Inuits de cette région et imposent des contraintes importantes sur leur mode de vie traditionnel, ce qui a des répercussions sur leur langue et les savoirs qui l'accompagnent. Cette étude compare deux aspects de l’ethnobiologie inuite : a) les noms et les utilisations des plantes par les Inuits de Nain, Nunatsiavut, suivis par une comparaison des utilisations avec la communauté inuite de Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, et b) une analyse des types de lieux ou d’habitats que les Inuits reconnaissent et nomment. Des interviews semi-dirigés ont été menés à Nain, Nunatsiavut et à Kangiqsualujjuaq, au Nunavik. Les plantes mentionnées sont utilisées comme aliment, thé, médecine, combustible, construction, nettoyage, et autres utilisations. Les deux communautés ont utilisé un nombre égal de plantes, avec des proportions équivalentes de taxons vasculaires/invasculaires, de formes de croissance (habitus), et d’espèces par catégorie d'utilisation. Les éléments du paysage les plus fréquemment rapportés sont d’ordre topographique, hydrologique ou écologique. L’intégration des concepts inuits, quant aux plantes et au paysage, à ceux de la science occidentale peut améliorer notre compréhension de l'écologie subarctique, aider à impliquer les acteurs locaux dans les décisions sur le développement de leur territoire et, conséquemment, modifier l'aménagement du territoire ainsi que les initiatives de conservation de la biodiversité. Ces concepts ont également des répercussions sur les stratégies d'adaptation face aux changements climatiques. / Unique habitats of the boreal-subarctic ecotone in northeastern Canada are being impacted by climate change. Combined with effects of globalization, changing environmental conditions are causing Inuit of this region to see significant strains on their traditional lifestyle and on the language and knowledge that go with it. This study compared two aspects of Inuit ethnobiology: we compared plant names and uses from two Inuit communities and examined what kinds of places or habitats Inuit recognize and name. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Nain, Nunatsiavut and Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, by showing interviewees (mostly Elders) plant specimens or photos of the region. Plants were used for food, tea, medicine, fuel, construction, cleaning, and other uses. Both communities used equal numbers of plants, with equivalent proportions of vascular/non-vascular taxa, growth forms, and species per use category. Forty-three species were reported in each community, for a total of 78 species from 39 families. Despite high overlap in species distributions, only half of all species were shared, reflecting community-specific bodies of traditional knowledge, or perhaps an overall decline in ethnobotanical knowledge use. The most frequently reported landscape features were topographical, hydrological, and ecological (i.e. plant associations and animal habitats). Some Inuit categories reflected their significance to traditional Inuit lifestyle (e.g. ‘berry-patch’, ‘seal-place’), aiding navigation and resource finding. Integrating Inuit conceptions of plants and landscape with those of contemporary science can improve our understanding of subarctic ecology, help involve local stakeholders in sustainable development discussions, and inform land-use planning, biodiversity conservation initiatives, and climate change adaptation strategies.