The field of biocultural diversity is emerging as a dynamic, integrative approach to understanding the links between nature and culture and the interrelationships between humans and the environment at scales from the global to the local. Its multifaceted contributions have ranged from theoretical elaborations, to mappings of the overlapping distributions of biological and cultural diversity, to the development of indicators as tools to measure, assess, and monitor the state and trends of biocultural diversity, to on-the-ground implementation in field projects.

This book is a unique compendium and analysis of projects from all around the world that take an integrated biocultural approach to sustaining cultures and biodiversity. The 45 projects reviewed exemplify a new focus in conservation: this is based on the emerging realization that protecting and restoring biodiversity and maintaining and revitalizing cultural diversity and cultural vitality are intimately, indeed inextricably, interrelated. Published with Terralingua and IUCN

About the Author

Luisa Maffi, Ph.D., is a linguist and anthropologist, and one of the originators of the field of biocultural diversity. She is co-founder and Director of the international NGO Terralingua. She is based in British Columbia, Canada.

Ellen Woodley, Ph.D., works as an ecological consultant in environment and development, specializing in issues of local and traditional ecological knowledge. She is based in Ontario, Canada.

Reviews

"All of the world's cultures are utterly dependent upon the biodiversity among which they live. Each culture has developed ways of adapting to their biodiversity, drawing on nature for goods, services, inspiration, mythology, and much else besides. Biocultural Diversity Conservation is a treasure trove of the many approaches that have been taken by the world's diverse cultures to maintain the biological systems upon which they depend. This invaluable resource will certainly find great utility in all parts of the world and among many disciplines." Jeffrey A. McNeely, Senior Science Advisor, IUCN

"Here is a treasure trove of a book, one that will truly make a difference in the world. It represents a key milestone in our global understanding of the profound and inextricable links between cultural and biological diversity. Written by two of the leading lights in this new and growing field, it is filled with important information, case studies and analyses on a global scale." Nancy J. Turner, University of Victoria, Canada

"At long last: an authoritative guide to biocultural conservation. This is a splendid illumination of the intermingled diversity of culture and nature ... revealing and revolutionary." Thomas E. Lovejoy, Biodiversity Chair, The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment, USA

"Maffi and Woodley ... do a great job of communicating best practices of biocultural diversity conservation." John Mulrow, Worldwatch Institute

"Biocultural Diversity Conservation is an eye-operner: it sheds a whole new angle on biodiversity, culture and language in relation to the way the world is changing." William Critchley, WASWAC.

"It is fascinating, and we, the scientific community, need to be aware of this extraordinaty and important relationship between plants, animals, culture and language." William Critchley, WASWAC.

"The authors call for policies that value cultural diversity and creativity, empowering people, rather than distincing them from the knowledge and practices that have supported survival and adaptation over generations." New Agriculturist.

"Biocultural diversity is a concept that had not meant too much to me before I traveled to Tofino. But the more I understood and thought about it the more sense it seemed to make. Biocultural diversity conservation--the preservation and respect of all human diversity within the diversity of the rest of life on Earth may be a good place to find solutions." David Braun, Tofino, Canada, Natgeo Newswatch.

"This is truly a 'first resource of its kind'." Farming Matters, December 2010

"This is a great interdisciplinary and inspiring sourcebook with a wealth of information about biocultural diversity directly from field experience, with useful information and guidelines for a wide range of readers, biologists, linguists, anthropologists, conservationists and policy-makers alike, but also anyone interested in environmental conservation will find this interesting [...] If you were sceptical about the existence of the links between nature and culture, this book will convert you." Marie-Stephanie Samain, International Journal of Environmental Studies, 2012

Book Information
ISBN 9781844079216
Author Luisa Maffi
Format Paperback
Page Count 312
Imprint Earthscan Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 580g