Engaging Fishers' Ecological Knowledge for Endangered Species Conservation: Four Advantages to Emphasizing Voice in Participatory Action Research

Frontiers in Communication

Melissa Valle¹  Ramon Neftali Sanchez¹  Michael J. Liles¹  Sofía Chavarría¹  Markus J. Peterson²  Craig E. Tweedie²  Stacey K. Sowards³  Kathryn R. Wedemeyer-Strombel⁴  Eduardo Altamirano⁵  Velkiss Gadea⁵ 

[1] Asociación ProCosta, San Salvador, El Salvador;Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX, United States;Department of Communication, University of Texas, El Paso, TX, United States;Environmental Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, University of Texas, El Paso, TX, United States;Fauna and Flora International, Managua, Nicaragua;

关键词: conservation;    sea turtles;    trinity of voice;    participatory modeling;    habitat use;    mangrove estuary;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcomm.2019.00030

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Using social science to integrate local knowledge into conservation science can provide unique insights to conservation challenges. Especially when baseline data of a vulnerable wildlife population are deficient, these methods can help fill critical data gaps. In this study, we integrate the principals from the trinity of voice (TOV) and participatory action research (PAR) to generate baseline data on in-water habitat use of critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and to build mutually beneficial relationships with local stakeholders near the hawksbill's two primary nesting grounds: mangrove estuaries in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Local stakeholders, in this study referred to as fishers, hold expert knowledge they have acquired both experientially and culturally. Using TOV to shape PAR, we invited stakeholders to use their fishers' ecological knowledge (FEK) to enhance conservation of this at-risk species. Our results demonstrate that in addition to using FEK to produce quantifiable data (e.g., turtle habitat use), there are four advantages to emphasizing voice throughout a PAR project: (1) provides locality-specific information, (2) enhances mutual learning and leadership, (3) incorporates local experience, knowledge, and creativity, and (4) encourages local participation and commitment to the conservation challenge.

【 授权许可】

Unknown