Workshop related to the 5 th World Conservation Congress Strengthening Biocultural Diversity and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Asia-Pacific Island Regions Sun-Kee HONG The Ecological Society of Korea Institution for Marine and Island Cultures, Mokpo National University, Republic of KOREA Island Biocultural Diversity Initiative Necessity and Goal

Grazing is one of traditional landscape management in Mediterranean islands. How to sustain the balance of resource use and ecosystem, especially in small islands, is common question to ecologists (Palea Kameni near Santorini, Greece. This islet was created by eruptions of 46-47AD and 726. Photo by SK Hong).

Contents Background Goals Plan 4 Strategies 5 Methods 6 Expected Effects

Relationship between biological diversity and cultural diversity. Interaction of biocultural diversity from local to global levels (Adopted from Maffi and Woodley 2010) CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BIODIVERSITY LOCAL CULTURES CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BIODIVERSITY LOCAL CULTURES Ecosystem, species & genetic richness Ecological knowledge, Cultural values and practices, Institutions, language GLOBAL, REGIONAL & NATIONAL LEVEL CORRELATIONS BIODIVERSITYCULTURAL DIVERSITY Ecosystem, species & genetic richness Languages and cultures

Definitions of Biocultural diversity The inextricable link between biological diversity and cultural diversity received international recognition through the Declaration of Belem (1988). Loh and Harmon (2005) define Biocultural diversity as the total sum of the world’s differences, no matter what their origin. This concept encompasses biological diversity at all its levels and cultural diversity in all its manifestations. Biocultural diversity is derived from the myriad ways in which humans have interacted with their natural surroundings. Their co-evolution has generated local ecological knowledge and practices: a vital reservoir of experience, methods and skills that help different societies to manage their resources. Diverse worldviews and ethical approaches to life have emerged in tandem with this co-evolution of nature and culture. The biocultural concept is critical to making progress on building mutual understanding and support between these two diversities. 1 Convention on Biological Diversity 2 UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity 3 Loh, J. and Harmon, D., A global index of biocultural diversity. Ecol. Indic. 5(3):231–41. Definitions of Biocultural diversity The inextricable link between biological diversity and cultural diversity received international recognition through the Declaration of Belem (1988). Loh and Harmon (2005) define Biocultural diversity as the total sum of the world’s differences, no matter what their origin. This concept encompasses biological diversity at all its levels and cultural diversity in all its manifestations. Biocultural diversity is derived from the myriad ways in which humans have interacted with their natural surroundings. Their co-evolution has generated local ecological knowledge and practices: a vital reservoir of experience, methods and skills that help different societies to manage their resources. Diverse worldviews and ethical approaches to life have emerged in tandem with this co-evolution of nature and culture. The biocultural concept is critical to making progress on building mutual understanding and support between these two diversities. 1 Convention on Biological Diversity 2 UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity 3 Loh, J. and Harmon, D., A global index of biocultural diversity. Ecol. Indic. 5(3):231–41. International Conference on Biological and Cultural Diversity: Diversity for Development- Development for Diversity (8-10 June 2010, Montreal, Canada) Working Document A PROPOSED JOINT PROGRAMME OF WORK ON BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY LEAD BY THE SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION ON BIODIVERSITY AND UNESCO

Major reasons of disappearing Biocultural diversity Human impact (human history and land use) Socioeconomic reasons are important driving force Unstable cultural diversity like biodiversity Losing indigenous knowledge Urbanization Human impact (human history and land use) Socioeconomic reasons are important driving force Unstable cultural diversity like biodiversity Losing indigenous knowledge Urbanization

Understanding of mechanism for biocultural dynamics Interaction Land use Biodiversity Natural process Society Economy Culture Nature Man Changing interaction Changing Biocultural diversity Cultural diversity Ecological diversity Man Nature Landscape change Loss of balance and interaction Climate change

1. Background Biocultural diversity IUCN and UNESCO ‘Biocultural diversity’ Ecosystem + Natural Resource + Adaptation = Culture Ecosystem + Natural Resource + Adaptation = Culture The attention of international organizations on biodiversity The UN declared 2010 to the International Year of Biodiversity and International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held the international conferences in Montréal, Canada (8-10, June, 2010)

Beyond the natural resource, biocultural diversity is daily life and education fields for transferring traditional ecological knowledge Ecological knowledge is driving force and stimulus to create biocultural diversity Cultural diversity with ecosystems become extinct in human history accompanied with biodiversity loss Global changes on seascape are threatening biological- cultural linking heritages Beyond the natural resource, biocultural diversity is daily life and education fields for transferring traditional ecological knowledge Ecological knowledge is driving force and stimulus to create biocultural diversity Cultural diversity with ecosystems become extinct in human history accompanied with biodiversity loss Global changes on seascape are threatening biological- cultural linking heritages

Ecological knowledge of forest use

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: Experimental laboratory of ecological knowledge and biocultural diversity “Blue-Green-Human Network”

2 Suggesting proposal of motion development in WCC Propagating the agenda regarding to biocultural diversity to the world 1 2. Goals Goals Discussing the development of biodultural diversity and its mechanisms for maintaining ecocultural integrity Research and policy work for sustainability of island-coastal regions Agenda and Networking Agenda and Networking

A. Case study areas B. Contents Getting information of ecological knowledge of biodiversity, vegetation, and resource management in international island- coastal areas Organizing of national and international organization and research network of Asia-Pacific island-coastal areas Holding international symposium titled “vegetation resources and ecological knowledge in island-coastal regions” during in IAVS2012 (International Association for Vegetation Science, Mokpo, July 2012) in conjunction with WCC Model development of “sustainability of island-coastal regions” in cooperative with international organizations (IUCN, UNESCO, FAO, and all related subjects by experts) Getting information of ecological knowledge of biodiversity, vegetation, and resource management in international island- coastal areas Organizing of national and international organization and research network of Asia-Pacific island-coastal areas Holding international symposium titled “vegetation resources and ecological knowledge in island-coastal regions” during in IAVS2012 (International Association for Vegetation Science, Mokpo, July 2012) in conjunction with WCC Model development of “sustainability of island-coastal regions” in cooperative with international organizations (IUCN, UNESCO, FAO, and all related subjects by experts) 3. Plan Asia-Pacific island-coastal countries (Korea, Japan, China, Micronesia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, USA etc.) Study range Greece, Italia, Spain and North Europe South America and Africa Regional cooperation Other regions

4. Strategies Establishing “Island-Coastal Biocultural Diversity Initiative” in conjunction with international organizations such as IUCN, UNESCO, FAO, INTECOL, EAFES etc. Discussing about theoretical basis on “Island-coastal vegetation resources and ecological knowledge in Asia- Pacific regions” during IAVS2012 Organizing workshop with institutions as well as researchers of IUCN, UNESCO, FAO, INTECOL and initiating agenda Submitting agenda International networking

ABCD(Asia-Pacific Biocultural Diversity) Group in INTECOL, Brisbane 2009 ABCD (Asia-Pacific Biocultural Diversity)

5. Methods A. Understanding ecological knowledge for natural resource use in island-coastal regions Finding researchers on biocultural diversity in island- coastal regions Collecting literature data through national and international network Obtaining information of ecological knowledge of resource management and biodiversity B. Strengthening of national and international network B. Strengthening of national and international network Strengthening the network through mutual visits of the main spots Holding the international symposium as a “Island- coastal vegetation resources and ecological knowledge” during the IAVS2012 Proposal the motion during WCC Propagation of integrity and excellence of ecological knowledge and biocultural diversity through international network C. Literature utilization and workshop programming C. Literature utilization and workshop programming Literature review progress Organizing of national and international workshops Publishing by papers and books

6. Expected Effects 55 th IAVS 2012 ( Promotion of Initiative on biocultural diversity in Asia-Pacific island regions International networking for research development on biocultural diversity Developing effective strategies for conservation and development on island sustainability (ecosystem conservation, quality economy related to local activity and life standard, and eco-welfare) Model development of sustainable island-coastal regions Expanding our action to local to global level Promotion of Initiative on biocultural diversity in Asia-Pacific island regions International networking for research development on biocultural diversity Developing effective strategies for conservation and development on island sustainability (ecosystem conservation, quality economy related to local activity and life standard, and eco-welfare) Model development of sustainable island-coastal regions Expanding our action to local to global level