A study on the retention of forest-related traditional knowledge - A case of Dengcen village in Guizhou province, southwest China

Abstract

Local communities have relied on traditional knowledge (TK) to manage forests and utilize forest resources for centuries, and the TK helped them keep the capacity of forest ecosystems in providing environmental services. Such forest-related traditional knowledge (FTK) including local peoples' ecological knowledge, culture, religious belief and forest management know-how has been transmitted through generations. Nevertheless, industrialization and scientific development has eroded FTK and its retention is now facing challenges. This study aims to understand the status of FTK retention, and further identify demographic and socio-economic factors that have affected the erosion. For these purposes, the vitality of FTK retained by a local community called Dengcen - which is located in Guizhou province in Southwest China - was measured by utilizing Vitality Index of Traditional Environmental Knowledge (VITEK) method. Besides, ones age, gender, experience of living in urban areas, and education level are indicated as demographic and socio-economic factors influencing FTK erosion. We suggest, to help the FTK to be maintained, FTK education program for young local people and culture-based ecotourism with active involvement of local community should be developed as well.