Exploring a topic of vital and ongoing importance, Traditional Forest Knowledge examines the history, current status and trends in the development and application of traditional forest knowledge by local and indigenous communities worldwide. It considers the interplay between traditional beliefs and practices and formal forest science and interrogates the often uneasy relationship between these different knowledge systems.
The contents also highlight efforts to conserve and promote traditional forest management practices that balance the environmental, economic and social objectives of forest management. It places these efforts in the context of recent trends towards the devolution of forest management authority in many parts of the world.
The book includes regional chapters covering North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Australia-Pacific region. As well as relating the general factors mentioned above to these specific areas, these chapters cover issues of special regional significance, such as the importance of traditional knowledge and practices for food security, economic development and cultural identity. Other chapters examine topics ranging from key policy issues to the significant programs of regional and international organisations, and from research ethics and best practices for scientific study of traditional knowledge to the adaptation of traditional forest knowledge to climate change and globalisation.
The contents also highlight efforts to conserve and promote traditional forest management practices that balance the environmental, economic and social objectives of forest management. It places these efforts in the context of recent trends towards the devolution of forest management authority in many parts of the world.
The book includes regional chapters covering North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Australia-Pacific region. As well as relating the general factors mentioned above to these specific areas, these chapters cover issues of special regional significance, such as the importance of traditional knowledge and practices for food security, economic development and cultural identity. Other chapters examine topics ranging from key policy issues to the significant programs of regional and international organisations, and from research ethics and best practices for scientific study of traditional knowledge to the adaptation of traditional forest knowledge to climate change and globalisation.
From the reviews:
"Parrotta (US Forest Service) and Trosper (Univ. of British Columbia, Canada) have compiled and edited an interesting collection of papers that comprehensively review 'traditional forest-related knowledge.' ... the book will have the most interest to upper-level undergraduates and beyond who have a focus on international forestry, traditional forestry practices, and issues of human/environmental interactions. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals." (J. L. Rhoades, Choice, Vol. 49 (10), June, 2012)
"Traditional Forest-Related-Knowledge ... is an encyclopedic treatment of the topic with something for everyone. ... the elements through which they are compared are carefully chosen to reveal the core of TFRK. This is an enlightening treatment of the topic. The chapter on ethics is similarly thoughtful and enlightening. ... This chapter should be read by anyone doing research with indigenous people, or, for that matter, any field researcher at all." (Louise Fortmann, International Journal of the Commons, Vol. 6 (2), August, 2012)
"Parrotta (US Forest Service) and Trosper (Univ. of British Columbia, Canada) have compiled and edited an interesting collection of papers that comprehensively review 'traditional forest-related knowledge.' ... the book will have the most interest to upper-level undergraduates and beyond who have a focus on international forestry, traditional forestry practices, and issues of human/environmental interactions. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals." (J. L. Rhoades, Choice, Vol. 49 (10), June, 2012)
"Traditional Forest-Related-Knowledge ... is an encyclopedic treatment of the topic with something for everyone. ... the elements through which they are compared are carefully chosen to reveal the core of TFRK. This is an enlightening treatment of the topic. The chapter on ethics is similarly thoughtful and enlightening. ... This chapter should be read by anyone doing research with indigenous people, or, for that matter, any field researcher at all." (Louise Fortmann, International Journal of the Commons, Vol. 6 (2), August, 2012)