Dissecting a Biocultural Landscape: Insights From Zoological, Botanical, Ethnobiological, Ecological, and Environmental Restoration Studies
摘要
Biocultural landscapes include biological, abiotic, and human elements that interact and change over time and space. Studies of such landscapes typically address specific biological or cultural issues, limiting their holistic understanding. This chapter integrates information from diverse research conducted on a landscape managed by an indigenous community in Colima, western Mexico, to gain a holistic understanding of a biocultural landscape. The research was conducted through various disciplines, including zoology, botany, ethnobiology, ecology, and ecological restoration. Special attention was given to animals as they have been understudied in such landscapes. From an ethnobiological perspective, human perception, use, and management of both fauna and flora were identified. Ecological studies provided insights into the effects of human management on animal behavior and vegetation. From an ecological restoration perspective, the relevance of agroforestry systems for the regeneration and conservation of perennial species diversity in tropical dry forests was evaluated. The biocultural importance of the landscape for both the community and biodiversity; some factors that threaten the continuity of traditional knowledge, uses, and practices; and particular strategies for reducing negative impacts on the landscape are discussed. Finally, suggestions for establishing research collaborations with communities and future scientific opportunities are provided.