Who knows? Local non-timber forest product knowledge and stewardship practices in Northern Michigan.

摘要

Non-timber forest products (NTFP) literature frequently laments the absence of an information base for policy and management decisions. While formal scientific data on the biological and social ecologies of most NTFPs are limited to non-existent, long time gatherers often have extensive experiential knowledge bases. Researchers and managers may overlook this expertise because of assumptions about the nature of knowledge and the identity of individuals who possess valuable information. These assumptions are explored and contrasted to the concept of local knowledge. A case study of gatherers in Michigan's (USA) Upper Peninsula found that many possess extensive knowledge of the products they harvest and observe stewardship practices to assure their sustained availability. This paper presents descriptions of four gatherers and concludes with recommendations for incorporating the local knowledges of individuals from a variety of cultures into policy, research, and management.