Linking Conservation, Community Knowledge, and Adaptation to Extreme Climatic Events: A Case Study in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Amemarlita Matos, Laura Barraza and Isabel Ruiz-Mallén
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Amemarlita Matos: Department of Human Development, Gorongosa National Park, Beira 1983, Mozambique
Laura Barraza: Education for Sustainability, SACBÉ—Servicios Ambientales, Conservación Biológica y Educación A.C. de México, Mexico City 04100, Mexico
Isabel Ruiz-Mallén: Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Univesritat Oberta de Catalunya, 08860 Barcelona, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: This study is based on ethnographic research that analyzes how traditional knowledge and local beliefs on biodiversity conservation relates to the local ability to adapt and be resilient to climatic changes in two communities around Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: Nhanfisse in the buffer zone and Muanandimae in the core area. A total of 78 semi-structured interviews with heads of households were conducted. We found that both communities carried out practices and held beliefs associated with conservation, such as protecting trees and animal species considered sacred or perceived as beneficial for human life in terms of water provision and agricultural production. In addition to traditional ceremonies that respond to extreme climatic events such as drought and flood, other adaptation strategies used by the communities include moving to neighboring areas in search of better living conditions and using forest products in times of scarcity. We discuss that the management of the park should be agreed on, in a shared way, between local communities and conservation agents to ensure that these areas continue to perform the ecological, subsistence, and spiritual functions required. Our research results contribute to a better understanding of local adaptation dynamics towards extreme climatic events and improvement of management strategies.

Keywords: social-ecological memory; traditional ecological knowledge; protected areas; adaptive management; climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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