Nature and Culture: Rebuilding Lost Connections

Description

There is a growing recognition that the diversity of life comprises both biological and cultural diversity. But there remains a common disciplinary division between nature and culture, often exacerbated by our need to manage and control nature. A variety of environmental sub-disciplines have emerged to address this division, and some of these bridge the natural and social sciences. Although many have the potential to contribute to understanding, they remain somewhat fragmented. This book goes beyond divisive definitions and investigates the bridges linking biological and cultural diversity. The authors explore the common drivers of loss of both biological and cultural diversity. They indicate that policy responses should target both biological and cultural diversity in a novel integrative approach to conservation, thus reducing the gap between science, policy and practice. The degree to which ecosystem diversity is linked to cultural diversity is only beginning to be understood, and there is much still to learn. But it is precisely as our knowledge is advancing that both types of diversity are under even greater pressure. While conserving nature alongside human cultures presents unique challenges, this book forcefully shows that any hope for saving biological diversity is predicated on a concomitant effort to appreciate and protect cultural diversity.Contributors include: Helen Newing, University of Kent, UK Jonathon Loh, Zoological Society of London, David Harmon, The George Wright Society Ellen Woodley, The Heron Group Bill Adams, University of Cambridge, UK Tirso Gonzales, University of British Columbia, Canada Maria Gonzalez David J. Rapport, Ecohealth Consulting, British ColumbiaLuisa Maffi, Terralingua, BC, Canada Martina Tyrrell Garry Marvin, Roehampton University, UK Patricia Howard, University of Kent, UK Eugene N Anderson, University of California, USA James Robson & Fikret Berkes, University of Manitoba, Canada Glenn Albrecht, Murdoch University, Australia Colin Samson, University of Essex, UK