• Title/Summary/Keyword: traditional ecological knowledge

Search Result 30, Processing Time 0.022 seconds

Biocultural diversity and traditional ecological knowledge in island regions of Southwestern Korea

  • Hong, Sun-Kee
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.34 no.2
    • /
    • pp.137-147
    • /
    • 2011
  • In 2009, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the unique outstanding ecosystem biodiversity and distinct ecocultural values of the Shinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve in the island region. The Dadohae area, which has been sustainably conserved for scores of years, boasts not only a unique ecosystem, but also has residents with a wide range of traditional ecological knowledge. In terms of understanding the soundness of the ecosystem network known as the landscape system, the recent expansion of environmental development has served to heighten the degree of consideration given not only to biodiversity, which has long been used as an indicator to assess ecosystem soundness, but also to assess cultural diversity. Man has used the surrounding landscape and living organisms as his life resources since the beginning. Moreover, whenever necessary, man has developed new species through cultivation. Biodiversity became a foundation that facilitated establishing cultural diversity such as food and housing. Such ecological knowledge has been conveyed not only to adjacent regions, but also at the international level. The recent rapid changes in the Dadohae area island ecosystem caused by the transformation of fishing grounds by such factors as climate change, excess human activities, and marine pollution, is an epoch event in environmental history that shows that the balance between man and nature has become skewed. Furthermore, this issue has moved beyond the biodiversity and landscape diversity level to become an issue that should be addressed at the cultural diversity level. To this end, the time has come to pay close attention to this issue.

Local activation using traditional knowledge and ecological resources of Korean islands

  • Hong, Sun-Kee
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.38 no.2
    • /
    • pp.263-269
    • /
    • 2015
  • When we consider changes in agro-fishery systems instigated by environmental changes in islands, rise in sea levels, and natural disasters such as tsunamis, there is an urgent need to carry out initiatives to enhance life standard and conserve ecosystem in island and coastal regions. To protect the region's landscape from the effects of climate change, it is necessary to develop an integrated management system for ecosystem conservation, human settlements, and the local economy. This paper discusses the outline of a preliminary national plan for a sustainable island management system for remote (inhabited and uninhabited) islands in Korea. Two main ideas to enhance life standard are adapting to the natural environment by applying traditional knowledge and utilizing ecological resources of islands, i.e., improving the quality of life and creating added value. As a technique for improving the quality of life, the establishment of eco-villages based on energy-efficient passive houses and ecological welfare is suggested. Another technique for creating added value, the development of sea-farming islands that utilize islands' new recyclable energy is also proposed. Finally, the suggested ideas are discussed in relation to island ecotourism and carbon zero islands.

Indigenous Knowledge on the Utilization of Medicinal Plant Diversity in the Siwalik Region of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand

  • Gaur, R.D.;Sharma, Jyotsana
    • Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
    • /
    • v.27 no.1
    • /
    • pp.23-31
    • /
    • 2011
  • Ever since the dawn of civilization, the ambient vegetation and the resources constituted major source of human existence for various substantial requirements. Our present knowledge on plant resources emerged from the traditional heritable knowledge descended from generation to generation. However, traditional knowledge pertaining to several aspects remained untapped from various remote localities or populations. Furthermore, with the present trends of excessive exploitation of natural resources and degradation of habitats, conservation and ecological management require coherence of traditional skills and modern approaches. Therefore, the present study is to record traditional plant based knowledge among the inhabitants of Siwalik region of Uttarakhand Himalaya. Extensive field survey was made for the collection of data on the medicinal aspects of plant species in the study area covering the parts of districts Pauri, Dehradun and Haridwar. During the course of study 130 plant species belonging to 65 families are reported, used as traditional medicine by the local inhabitants of this region.

Strategy Practice in the 21st Century Digital Organization: -An Analysis from the Ecological Perspective- (21세기 디지털 조직 전략실천에 대한 생태론적 고찰)

  • Juhn, Sung Hyun;Park, Dong Joon
    • Knowledge Management Research
    • /
    • v.18 no.3
    • /
    • pp.201-230
    • /
    • 2017
  • It is argued that the strategy practice in the 21st digital organization is limited and constrained in that it is being laregy driven by a traditional positivistic strategic management thinking. This article, drawing upon the models and concepts developed in the field of general ecology, proposes a resilient ecological view of strategy, as an alternative strategy frame of reference for overcoming some of the pitfalls and shortcomings of the current digital strategy practice in the organization. The implications of this new ecological perspective on strategy practice are discussed in detail. The article concludes with discussions and directions for implanting the perspective in the organization.

An Analysis on Use Patterns of Oriental Medicine of Pond Wetland Plants for the Ecological Experience in Rural Tourism Village (농촌관광마을 생태체험을 위한 연못형습지 식물의 한방 이용형태 분석)

  • Son, Jinkwan;Kong, Minjae;Kang, Banghun;Kim, Miheui;Kang, Donghyeon;Lee, Siyoung;Han, Songhee
    • Journal of Wetlands Research
    • /
    • v.19 no.2
    • /
    • pp.230-239
    • /
    • 2017
  • These days, the demand of farm tours is on the rise in Korea. However, most of them are related to farming experience. To overcome the situation, ecological experience is introduced. In this sense, it is necessary to obtain the contents and educational materials of ponds, the space of farming and ecological experience. Therefore, this study analyzed the use patterns of oriental medicine of pond wetland plants. Oriental medicine is used for old and traditional knowledge, and is still applied to various fields, such as medical science, pharmacy, and science. The analyzed result of this study will be helpful for the educational materials of ecological experience. This study surveyed plants of 40 pond wetlands in rural areas, and looked into the use patterns of traditional medicine by using the contents of Korea Traditional Knowledge Portal being operated by Korean Intellectual Property Office. According to the vegetation survey of the 40 pond wetlands, there were a total of 457 taxa in 108 families, 309 genera, 392 species, 59 varieties, 5 forma, and 1 subspecies. Among them, 314 taxa in 53 families, 136 genera, 265 species, 45 varieties, 3 forma, and 1 subspecies had the information on the use patterns of traditional medicine. It means that 68.8% of the plants around pond wetlands contain traditional medicine. Given other application patterns, such as food, handcraft and traditional farming, more than 70~80% are expected to include traditional knowledge. 314 taxa used for traditional medicine had 570 kinds of efficacy and 325 kinds of disease treatment. It means that one taxon has 4.0 (0~20) kinds of efficacy on average and 6.6(0~20) kinds of disease treatment. It is expected that this study result will be applied to various fields, including experience, education, and medical science. And it is considered that valuable pond wetlands are worthwhile to be conserved constantly.

Rural landscape and biocultural diversity in Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea

  • Kim, Jae-Eun
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.38 no.2
    • /
    • pp.249-256
    • /
    • 2015
  • Islands are often habitats to unique species because they have different environmental conditions from the mainland and other islands. Another characteristic of islands is their limited natural resources, which has led island residents to heavily rely on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and use resources sustainably. The so-called "Maeul landscape" shows the interrelationship of biological species and people's use of natural resources. Shinan-gun is an administrative district located in the southwestern part of Korea that forms an archipelago with huge tidal flat areas. Since long ago, people's use of these tidal flats shows a high degree of biocultural diversity. Maeul landscapes also show humans' adaptation to the natural environment. For instance, strong winds blowing mainly from the northwest have led people in Shinan-gun to create "Ushil," a windbreak forest with stone blocks to block wind from their villages and agricultural fields. At present, the transfer of TEK to future generations is at stake due to socio-economic changes that cause island populations to shrink and age rapidly. Islands are often regarded as good destinations for tourism, but attention should also be given to sustainable development due to the environmental characteristics of islands. International organizations are making efforts to curb the threats of global environmental problems especially on small islands. Their activities are aimed at seeking solutions that stress the central role of biocultural diversity in establishing the sustainable use of natural resources on islands. Joint efforts oflocal people and government authorities to protect and conserve the Maeul landscape should be encouraged.

Determinants of Farmers' Participation and Acceptance Level in Uiseong Traditional Agricultural Water Utilization System Conservation Activities (의성 전통 수리 농업시스템 보전 활동에 대한 농가 참여 및 수용수준의 결정요인)

  • Kim, Se-Hyuk;Lee, Se-Yeop;Kim, Tae-Kyun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
    • /
    • v.27 no.3
    • /
    • pp.47-56
    • /
    • 2021
  • The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of local farmers' participation and acceptance level in traditional agricultural technology conservation activities, using on the traditional agricultural water utilization system in Uiseong designated as Korea's important agricultural heritage system No. 10. The Heckman sample selection model was used to solve the selection bias. The results show that as the interest in the conservation of the agricultural ecological and environment is high, as the traditional agricultural system in Uiseong is used, as the cultivation area of paddy field increased, and as the age 50s or older, the willingness to participate in conservation activities increased. The results also indicate that as the experience of participating in the conservation of the agricultural ecological and environment and the hours of education are increased, the knowledge of the traditional agricultural system in Uiseong is low, and as the cultivation area of paddy field decreased, the acceptance time for conservation activities increased. The results of this study may contribute to government's policy for traditional agricultural technology conservation.

Island ecology on biological-cultural diversities and human adaptation in seascapes

  • Hong, Sun-Kee
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.33 no.2
    • /
    • pp.115-120
    • /
    • 2010
  • The Asian cultural landscape is a mirrored ecosystem of great complexity, formed by the interaction of man and nature, coupled with a host of ecological processes. The human dependencies on and environmental adaptation of the bio-organisms and the surrounding landscape constitute the typical cultural landscape. Islands are a good example of a cultural landscape, and each mosaic pattern of marine and coastal ecosystems reflects bio-cultural diversity. Along with land-use patterns, wise use of biological organisms and indigenous knowledge has expanded to islands in the Asia-Pacific region in several ways (sea current and human impact, etc.). Loss in biodiversity and landscape diversity as well as cultural diversity owing to global warming and rapid urbanization are emerging issues for island ecosystems all over the world. In order to sustain the historical coexistence between man and natural systems, we ecologists must continue to search for a holistic solution for academic consilience. In this paper, I present the vision and practical characteristics of island ecology with a view toward the conservation of the traditional landscape and bio-cultural diversities in the seascape.

The Ethnobotanical Knowledge in Mt. Gayasan National Park

  • Chung, Kyong-Sook;Lee, Ho-Young;Lee, Ji Yeon;Kang, Shin-Ho
    • Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
    • /
    • 2018.10a
    • /
    • pp.63-63
    • /
    • 2018
  • Ethnobotanical knowledge on native plants is critical on the conservation and management of biological resources. We investigated traditional knowledge of ethnobotanical uses in the Mt. Gayasan National Park area. Interviews were carried out to 189 residents at 176 places, and verified species and usage information was categorized by taxonomic groups, usage, and used parts. The ethnobotanical species of the regions consisted of a total of 275 taxa in 91 families including 105 cultivars. Sunflower family (Asteraceae) is the most widely used family with 30 taxa (7 cultivars). Rose family (Rosaceae, 25 taxa with 11 cultivars), Bean family (Fabaceae, 15 taxa with 11 cultivars), Grass family (Poaceae, 15 taxa with 10 cultivars), and Lily family (Liliaceae, 14 taxa with 4 cultivars) followed. About 50 taxa belong to the Approved Species for Delivering Overseas designated by Korea Ministry of Environment, and six Korean endemic taxa have been traditionally valuable in the regions. Many cultivated species have been utilized for various purposes accompanied local and native plants. The main usage of the plants are edible (175 taxa) and medicinal (168 taxa). Leaves are most commonly used parts (105 taxa), followed by stems (93 taxa), fruits (73 taxa), roots (55 taxa), and wholes (54 taxa). The study does not only provides examples of traditional uses of native plants, but also facilitates conservation of natural resources and sustainable developments of ethnobotanical knowledge for the contemporary human society.

  • PDF

The Value of Traditional Medicine in East Asia which is based on the Instinct and Nature - Focused on the Value of Nature Medicine and Modern Disease - (본능(本能)과 본성(本性)에 기초(基礎)한 동아시아 전통의학의 의의(意義)에 대한 소고(小考) - 자연의학으로서의 가치와 현대병을 중심으로 -)

  • Eom, Seok-Ki;Choi, Won-Cheol
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
    • /
    • v.23 no.2
    • /
    • pp.63-87
    • /
    • 2010
  • Natural Medicine is a medical system that tries to find the cause and cure of the disease in the nature emphasizing on natural healing power of human body. The most important value of traditional medicine in east Asia lies on the fact that this medicine is a medical culture and natural medicine that was selected by instinct and human nature reflecting the best possible remedy by the wisdom of evolution, and views the living phenomenon based on relation and circulation. This medicine is a natural medicine that tries to recover and promote the natural healing power by vitality and is a system that cumulates various empirical information about unique and complicated life phenomenon as a legacy of evolution in the body and the disease. The understanding of variation and adaptation of human species should be based on thorough knowledge of origin, instinct and nature of human as well as knowledge of survival and adaptation of human and environment based on evolution. And through this insight, the prevention and treatment of modern diseases should be developed. In this regards, traditional medicine in east Asia should be highlighted again as a study on adaptation and harmony of penetrating the cultural history of mind which has led the history of biological body and change of society and culture, and the repository of practical wisdom and knowledge.