Traditional and Local Knowledge in Chile: Review of Experiences and Insights for Management and Sustainability

Matías Guerrero-Gatica, María Isabel Mujica, Matías Barceló, María Fernanda Vio-Garay, Stefan Gelcich and Juan J. Armesto
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Matías Guerrero-Gatica: Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Casilla 653, Santiago 7800003, Chile
María Isabel Mujica: Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Casilla 653, Santiago 7800003, Chile
Matías Barceló: Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES) Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago 8331150, Chile
María Fernanda Vio-Garay: Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago 8331150, Chile
Stefan Gelcich: Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES) Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago 8331150, Chile
Juan J. Armesto: Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Casilla 653, Santiago 7800003, Chile

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Scientific interest in traditional and local knowledge (TLK) has grown in recent decades, because of the potential of TLK for improving management and conservation practices. Here, we synthesize and evaluate TLK studies in Chile, discuss how this progress compares to the international scientific literature in the field, and contextualize our results according to the multiple evidence base approach. We found 77 publications on the subject, a steady increase since 1980, and a peak production in the 1990s and the 2010s decades. Publications most often provide basic information on species names and lists of resource uses in terrestrial rather than marine ecosystems. Papers had an emphasis on natural, rather than social sciences. Work was concentrated on the extreme northern and southern regions of Chile where more indigenous populations are found. Indigenous ethnic groups received greater attention than non-indigenous people. Future work in Chile must broaden its attention to local and urban communities and focus on how TLK can contribute to management and sustainability, rather than only acquiring the basic knowledge contained in local and traditional communities. To better comprehend TLK’s contribution to policy measures, an interdisciplinary approach must be present to address these knowledge gaps.

Keywords: traditional knowledge; local knowledge; indigenous knowledge; ethnobiology; ethnobotany; ethnozoology; land management; Chile (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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