Indicator: BD-07 Examples of Indigenous knowledge of species and ecological communities and their utilisation for management by Indigenous and non-Indigenous managers and for other purposes by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
Data
North Kimberley case studies
During the 1999 dry season, nearly 2 months of fieldwork were undertaken in six areas of coastal, river, woodland, and plateau country in the North Kimberley. More than 50 Traditional Owners participated in the fieldwork. Names and information about use, distribution, and behaviour of a significant proportion of the region’s biodiversity, and more than 600 species of animals and plants, were recorded. More than 30 recommendations about Aboriginal management were developed.
In addition to researching biological data, the project examined issues relating to the sustainable management of the biodiversity and cultural values of the region. The results of the research have been compiled in a ‘Management Manual’, which is being used as an information platform for negotiating agreements about access and joint management between Traditional Owners and government departments, research agencies, mining and exploration companies, commercial fishers, tourism operators, and other user groups.
The Wunambal Traditional Owners for Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau) are using their research to lead the way in managing their country. They have developed a management plan to address the immediate issues of visitor impacts and sacred site protection on their country. This is a direct outcome of an ethnobiology project.
The plan provides guiding principles for arriving at more appropriate management actions on a range of issues including water supply, fire management, access to Aboriginal sites and visitor education.
Source: Horstman, M & Wightman, G 2001, Karparti ecology: Recognition of Aboriginal ecological knowledge and its application to management in north-western Australia, 2.
Desert Knowledge Australia - case study
Desert Knowledge Australia is a consortium of desert Australian industry, Aboriginal organisations, government and non-government parties that was formed in 2000. It is establishing networks of people to undertake the research, product development and marketing needed for thriving desert knowledge economies. This includes drawing from informal and formal knowledge bases, developing business models to capitalise sustainably on natural resources, facilitating better remote delivery of health and education services, and developing policy and appropriate tenure including Intellectual Property arrangements for communities to progress commercial opportunities.
Desert Knowledge Australia is now developing business networks and partnerships right across inland Australia to ensure an economically sustainable future for Australian desert regions.
Source: Desert Knowledge Australia 2005, About Us, viewed 12 Oct 2005, http://www.desertknowledge.com.au/dka/index.cfm?fuseaction=aboutus.
Indigenous Protected Areas
There are currently 17 Indigenous Protected Areas in Australia, totalling 13.79 million hectares.
Indigenous Protected Areas
Source: CAPAD 2002, Geoscience Australia Land Tenure. The Indigenous Protected Area Program, viewed 16 Aug 2005, http://www.deh.gov.au/indigenous/ipa/map.html.
What the data mean
Case studies suggest that the use of Indigenous knowledge can have benefits for the whole community and for the biodiversity of their land. While the examples show some clear benefits for Indigenous communities, benefits for biodiversity will require longer term and more careful evaluation.
Data Limitations
No trend data available.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Biodiversity - Species, habitats and ecological communities - Community action on species and ecological communities
Examples of the involvement of Australia's Indigenous peoples in understanding and managing biodiversity and any benefits for biodiversity that have resulted from this involvement is an indicator for this aspect of community involvement in biodiversity conservation.
Other indicators for this issue:
- BD-06 Measures taken to conserve species or ecological communities on land that is not part of the national reserve system
- BD-02 Conservation status of nationally significant species and ecological communities, compared with previous years
- IW-36 Willow removal
Natural and Cultural Heritage - Knowledge of heritage - Listing processes, number and distribution of identified heritage items (places and objects)
Indigenous knowledge is a significant part of Australia’s natural and cultural heritage. Examples of Indigenous involvement in biodiversity conservation are an important example of actions to protect both natural and Indigenous heritage.
Other indicators for this issue:
- NCH-01 Process of listing, area and distribution of identified natural heritage places
- NCH-02 Process of listing, area and distribution of Indigenous heritage listings
- NCH-03 Process of listing, area and distribution of identified historic heritage places
- NCH-04 Process of listing, area and distribution of significant heritage objects
- IW-34 Examples of deterioration of condition of wetland vegetation
- BD-02 Conservation status of nationally significant species and ecological communities, compared with previous years
- BD-04 Listed threatened species or ecological communities for which recovery action is showing stable or increasing populations
- IW-10 Assessment of river condition indices
Further Information
- Publications for Indigenous communities and the environment
- Indigenous ecological knowledge for land management
- Karparti ecology
- Growing in the desert - Desert Knowledge Australia
- International Conference "Indigenous Knowledge and Bioprospecting", April 21-24, 2004
- Indigenous land management framework - Discussion Paper
Key
Links to another web site
Links to data in the DRS
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