Woven languages: understanding Indigenous socioecological systems

• Published in: Trends in ecology & evolution (Amsterdam) Vol. 39; no. 10; pp. 881 - 884
• Main Authors: Wehi, Priscilla M., Whaanga, Hēmi, Roa, Tom, Cox, Murray P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2024
• Subjects: biocultural conservation; Biodiversity; Conservation of Natural Resources; historical ecosystems; Humans; Indigenous knowledge; Indigenous Peoples; Language; linguistic diversity; Linguistics; transdisciplinary methods; transdisciplinary methods; biocultural conservation; historical ecosystems; Indigenous knowledge; linguistic diversity
• ISSN: 0169-5347; 1872-8383; 1872-8383
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.08.004

Language connects cultural and biological diversity and can contribute to both big data and localised approaches to improve conservation. Analysing Indigenous languages at regional level supports understanding of local ecologies and cultural revitalisation. Collated linguistic datasets can help to identify large-scale patterns, including extinctions, and forge robust multidisciplinary approaches to biocultural decision-making.
Language connects cultural and biological diversity and can contribute to both big data and localised approaches to improve conservation. Analysing Indigenous languages at regional level supports understanding of local ecologies and cultural revitalisation. Collated linguistic datasets can help to identify large-scale patterns, including extinctions, and forge robust multidisciplinary approaches to biocultural decision-making.