The role of indigenous knowledge, local traditions and pop culture in mitigating biodiversity crisis

Timetable

2026/2027 (summer) - 15h (lecture)

Module aim (aims)

This lecture will explore the topic of biodiversity in the age of climate change and rising human impact. It will present the current state of biodiversity worldwide, how anthropogenic pressure and climate change are affecting biodiversity and what actions are taken to protect biodiversity in various areas of the world. We will discuss the role indigenous management and local traditions have in biodiversity protection in various areas of the world, as well as examples of promotion of biodiversity in popular culture.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basic general knowledge in Earth sciences: geography, biogeography, climate change, ecology.

Syllabus

• Introduction to basic terminology and fundamentals of biodiversity
• Human impact on ecosystems and objectives of nature conservation
• Threats to biodiversity
• Contribution of science to nature conservation
• International cooperation for nature conservation
• Presentation of various aspects of biodiversity conservation – indigenous practices, traditional management strategies, influence of popular culture to support nature protection

Reading list

• Bergman, J.N., Buxton, R.T., Lin, H.-Y., Lenda, M., Attinello, K., Hajdasz, A.C., Rivest, S.A., Nguyen, T.T., Cooke, S.J., Bennett, J.R., Clements, J.C., 2022. Evaluating the benefits and risks of social media for wildlife conservation. FACETS 7, 360-397.
• Nogué, S., et al., 2021: The human dimension of biodiversity changes on islands. Science 372, 488-491.
• Crutzen, P. J., & Stoermer, E.F., 2000: The Anthropocene, Global Change Newsletter 41, 17–18.
• Ellis, E.C. & Ramankutty, N., 2008: Putting people in the map: anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, 439-447.
• Benzeev, R., Zhang, S., Rauber, M.A., Vance, E.A., Newton, P., 2023. Formalizing tenure of Indigenous lands improved forest outcomes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. PNAS Nexus 2.
• Hessami, M.A., Bowles, E., Popp, J.N., Ford, A.T., 2021. Indigenizing the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. FACETS 6, 1285-1306.
• Mason, C.W., Carr, A., Vandermale, E., Snow, B., Philipp, L., 2022. Rethinking the Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Sustainable Mountain Development and Protected Area Management in Canada and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Mountain Research and Development 42, A1–A9.
• Adeleye, M.A., Haberle, S.G., Connor, S.E., Stevenson, J., Bowman, D.M.J.S., 2021. Indigenous Fire-Managed Landscapes in Southeast Australia during the Holocene—New Insights from the Furneaux Group Islands, Bass Strait. Fire 4, 17.
• Fletcher, MS., Hall, T. & Alexandra, A.N., 2021. The loss of an indigenous constructed landscape following British invasion of Australia: An insight into the deep human imprint on the Australian landscape. Ambio 50, 138–149.
• Myers, N., Mittermeier, R.A., Mittermeier, C.G., da Fonseca, G.A.B., Kent, J., 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403, 853-858.