Sociology for Science and Ecosystem Management- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theSociology for Science and Ecosystem Services Management. Answer: This study examines the change in the biodiversity of the forests in the Bolivian Amazon as the culture of the indigenous people shifts from the traditional to the modern. The alpha tree diversity in the region was chosen as a parameter to assess how changes in behaviour and culture of the Tsimane' communities impact the biodiversity. The contact of the indigenous people with the Christian missionaries, the Andean colonists, logging companies and market traders has brought about cultural changes. The management of sacred groves and tree diversity has been affected due to the change. The Tsimane' people have a set of rituals and taboos that has led to conservation of biodiversity in the sacred groves. As they come in contact with market traders and cattle ranchers the change in their values caused them to alter their beliefs. Tree species that were earlier considered taboo are no longer feared. While the elders of the community believe in the concept of spirits, the Tsimane' living in towns do not hold similar beliefs (Guze, 2015). Another study on the Bolivian Amazon inhabitants points at the changes in traditional ecological knowledge due to increased interaction with the mainstream Bolivian society (Reyes-Garca, et al., 2014). Biodiversity is indeed linked to the cultural values of populations. The study inferred that tree diversity was affected due to acculturation of the Tsimane' community. When the diversity index called Fisher's Alpha was used to calculate the impact of diversity, it was significant in relation to acculturation. The Shannon index when calculated also showed the impact of acculturation on tree diversity. Previous disturbances to the forest cover by causes other than Tsimane' community were not part of the study and may have influenced the biodiversity of the assessed forest region. The study should have accounted for ecological disturbances caused by culture change in a larger sampling area than was considered as part of this study. However, the study is beneficial because it draws out the salient features of the culture of Tsimane' community and its impact on conserving the biodiversity of the flora in the region. Ormsby, A Ismail, S (2015). Cultural and ecological insights into sacred groves: managing timber resources for improved grove conservation. Forests, trees and livelihoods, 24(4):255-258. This study analyses how in the Kodagu district of South India the conservation of a species of timber, Disoxylem malabaricum has been successful due to the preservation of forests designated as 'sacred groves' by the local populace. The forests are managed by the community and the protection is offered as part of spiritual customs. But a recent study has pointed at changes in culture and the tendency to extract forest resources has led to encroachment and this has affected some rare local species. From what was once an area maintained by the local community where conservation was practised as a religion in service to the deity of a sacred grove is losing rare species due to increased human activity. The protection to the forest area has weakened (Ormsby Ismail, 2015). The study suggests interaction between the local community and forest department could improve the management of the sacred groves. It also suggests that better conservation of the timber species is possible through silviculture management. These points could help device policy on how to incorporate traditional methods of conservation of forests in the present context. It is interesting to note how safeguarding the ecosystem and protection of biodiversity are a part of the cultural ethos of some communities. Another study in the area points at human encroachment due to road widening, mini hydel projects and laying of cables contribute to the loss of biodiversity in the area and shrinking areas of the sacred groves (Rajesh, 2016). This study evaluates the effect of the 'sacred groves' in a South Indian district effectively and suggests further improvement through silk worm rearing in conjunction with conservation through cultural inputs. Ormsby, A (2013). Analysis of local attitudes toward the sacred groves of Meghalaya and Karnataka, India. Conservation and Society, 11(2):187-197. This study conducted in Meghalaya, India, mentions that the arrival of Christian missionaries in the area helped start modern education but the philosophy of the local people and their traditions did not receive much respect (Ormsby A. , 2013). The study compares the sacred groves in areas that are biodiversity hotspots- Meghalaya in North East India and the Kodagu district in the state of Karnatakaby analysing their cultural values. Whereas, similar conservation through sacred forests in Karnataka's Kodagu district received support because they were Hindus. Several traditions were analysed and compared and locals from both regions, that is, Meghalaya and Karnataka were interviewed to ask what actions were prohibited in the sacred forests. Hunting and felling of trees was not allowed in both cases but less invasive activity, such as, carrying of small forest produce - leaf litter, soil, twigs was permitted. Both the communities believed that not following the rules could cause some h arm to the people who broke rules. Ceremonies and rituals are still held to offer prayers in the Kodagu district while in Meghalaya the change of religion has meant that the rituals and prayers are followed to a lesser extent. The awareness among the communities about the need to conserve the sacred groves is higher in Meghalaya than in the Kodagu district (Ormsby A. , 2013). This study conducts an in depth analysis of two biodiversity hotspots in India, namely, in Meghalaya and Karnataka. The impact of education, acculturation of the indigenous people, their changing value systems is studied thoroughly. Several parameters have been considered- restrictions on use of forest resources, festivals and rituals associated with the sacred groves have been studied in depth. An interesting finding is that modern education has made the tribal people in Meghalaya more sensitive to the requirement of conservation of the sacred forests. The authors have not been able to analyse why the people associated with sacred forests in Meghalaya are successful at conservation even though their understanding of culture is lesser than other communities. The spiritual connection of the people in the Kodagu forests has been explained well. The paper draws on important points while comparing the two biodiversity hotspots. However, very few forests could be reached and the sample si ze remained small. Parotta, J., Yeo-Chang, Y Camcho, L (2016). Trditional knowledge for sustainable forest management and provision of ecosystem services, International journal of biodiversity science and ecosystem services management, 12(1-2):1-4. Ecological resilience has been practised by indigenous communities all over the world. The Dayak Tunjung community in East Borneo, rural communities in Northern Ghana have rules regulations taboos and customs that revolve round principles of sustainable use of natural resources. The values that guide traditional management of resources has withstood the pressure of time, of geopolitical change and is based on the experience of several generations. It would be important for the younger generation to remain involved in sustainable management of resources while managing the pressure of resource utilization (Parotta, Yeo-Chang, Camacho, 2016). This paper discusses the culturally sustainable methods adopted by indigenous communities in East Borneo and this has led to sustainable use of forest resources and helped to maintain the biodiversity of flora and fauna. The paper has described all aspects of the benefits of traditional forest management, namely, sustainability, traditional wisdom that has prevented over-exploitation of forest resources and yet some forest produce reaches the market and provides economic benefits to the local people. More elaboration on how the practices of local people could benefit policy makers would have made the study more useful. References Guze, M. L.-G.-M.-G. (2015). Shifts in indigenous culture relate to forest tree diversity: a case study from the Tsimane, Bolivian Amazon. Biological Conservation, 186, 251259. . Ormsby, A. (2013). Analysis of local attitudes toward the sacred groves of Meghalaya and Karnataka, India. Conservation and Society, 11(2):187-197. Ormsby, A., Ismail, S. (2015). Cultural and ecological insights into sacred groves: managing timber resources for improved grove conservation. Forests, trees and livelihoods, 24(4):244-258. Parotta, J., Yeo-Chang, Y., Camacho, L. (2016). Traditional knowledge for sustainable forest management and provision of ecosystem services. International journal of biodiversity science and ecosystem services management, 12(1-2):1-4. Rajesh, B. (2016). Sacred Groves: Floristic Diversity and their Role in Conservation of Nature. . Forest Research, 5:161. . Reyes-Garca, V., Paneque-Glvez, J., Luz, A., Gueze, M., Maca, M., Orta-Martnez, M., Pino, J. (2014). Cultural change and traditional ecological knowledge. An empirical analysis from the Tsimane' in the Bolivian Amazon. Human Organisation , 73(2):162-173.