The Integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with Western Science for Sustainable Forest Management

The Integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with Western Science for Sustainable Forest Management

Frank K. Lake

USFS-Corvallis Forestry Sciences Lab/Intertribal Program Office, OSU

Environmental Science, Graduate Ph.D program

Raised in NW CaliforniaFisheries and Fire Ecology

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Traditional Ecological KnowledgeTraditional Ecological Knowledge

“A cumulative body of knowledge, practice, and belief, evolving by adaptive processes and handed down through generations by cultural transmission, about the relationship of living beings (including humans) with one another and with the environment…is both cumulative and dynamic, building on experience and adapting to changes”

(Berkes 1999:8 in Sacred Ecology).

TEK and Cultural Environmental Management Practices

TEK and Cultural Environmental Management Practices

Work with the “Natural” conditions of the local environment across many different habitats

Often mimics natural processes observed in nature to increase biodiversity locally and/or regionally

Refinement of TEK and CEMP through time lead to the maintenance and/or enhancement of ecosystem productivity

Effects vary in intensity, spatially and temporally across the landscape

Cultural Environmental Management PracticesCultural Environmental Management Practices Mimics natural physical and biological

disturbance processesFire (seasonality and location may differ)Animals (extent and duration may differ)

Buffer against extreme ranges of natural variability

Fosters biodiversity and productivity Learning to read and understand Nature

The Development of Native Peoples’ Ecological Literacy

The Development of Native Peoples’ Ecological Literacy

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Cultural Environmental Management Practices

Fostering of Community

Ethics of Sustainability

Ecological Literacy Ecological Literacy

Expanding and developing further than environmental education

Leaning to “Read” and understand ecological processes and explain phenomena of Nature

Integrate TEK and Western Scientific Knowledge Accumulates inter-generationally by individuals and

community

Defined: The ability of an individual or community to observed, understand, and predict ecological processes and phenomena of Nature.

Evolution of TEK and CEMP

Evolution of TEK and CEMP

Humans? Humans?

Lertzman, Spies, and Swanson 1997Lertzman, Spies, and Swanson 1997

Sustainable forest management-What is it any way?

Sustainable forest management-What is it any way?

… “is the process of managing forest to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives of management with regard to the production of a continuous flow of desired forest products and services without undue reduction of its inherent values and future productivity and without undue undesirable effects on the physical and social environment” –ITTO

Criteria and Indicators: Cultural vs. Western-Should they differ?

Criteria and Indicators: Cultural vs. Western-Should they differ?

Tribal governments and communities have the unique ability to set the stage and lead by example what sustainable forest management can be and is.

Criteria and indicators can reflect multiple knowledge systems and include a broader definition of forest productivity or “goods and services” provided by the land base.

Integrated Resource Management Plans and Forest Management Plans

Integrated Resource Management Plans and Forest Management Plans

These documents provide an opportunity for tribal governments and communities to a have functional role in the world timber market and retain their unique eco-cultural values and a modest quality of life.

These documents also often reflect a strong place based commitment that accounts for social-ecological processes and interactions that are not often reflected in other non-Native management plans.

Forest Productivity – A tribal definition ?Forest Productivity – A tribal definition ?

Sustainable supply of timber and other forest products Preservation of water quality and quantity Preservation of fish and wildlife habitat Good quantity and quality of food, medicinal, and

material resources Preservation of spiritual-cultural resources Maintenance of a sense of place: self and community

identity

Timber harvesting practices that account for multiple values

Timber harvesting practices that account for multiple values

Harvesting practices that account for productive basket material patches

Harvesting practices that account for productive basket material patches

Over story-canopy conditions: basal area and species preferences

Light and nutrient requirements

Low intensity fires

Harvesting practices that account for productive berry and herb patches

Harvesting practices that account for productive berry and herb patches

Over story-canopy conditions: basal area and species preferences

Light and nutrient requirements Harvesting and fire sensitivity of tree and

understory species to management

Forest Restoration: Fuel Reduction and Prescribed Burning

Forest Restoration: Fuel Reduction and Prescribed Burning Understand how Native

peoples used fire in the past

Landscape level effects Lighting vs.

Anthropogenic Fire Adapted

Ecosystems Overstory vs.

understoryPhoto: Curtis, Klamath Indian

Oak woodland and savanna restoration: Reinstating Indigenous land use practices.

Oak woodland and savanna restoration: Reinstating Indigenous land use practices.

Harvesting of conifers and hardwoods Prescribed burning Establishment Study: Culturally significant plants

Camas, Lilies, Brodiaea, Wyethia, Lomatium, etc.

Aquatic-Headwater Aquatic-Headwater SpringsSpringsAquatic-Headwater Aquatic-Headwater SpringsSprings

Sacred places/prayer spots Sacred places/prayer spots Pacific giant salamander Pacific giant salamander

Water and food processing Water and food processing sitessites

BurningBurningClear vegetationClear vegetationWater yieldWater yieldWater Quantity and Water Quantity and QualityQuality

Closing Ideas and Questions?Closing Ideas and Questions?

How realistic is the integration of TEK with western science for sustainable forest management?

Can tribal IRMPs and FMPs serve as templates for other governments or companies if such divergent eco-cultural values of forest resources exist between western and tribal communities?

What current tribal forest management examples are available as case studies or of successful adaptive management?