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Conservation through Biocultural Heritage—Examples from Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

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  • Anneli Ekblom

    (Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, African and Comparative Archaeology, Uppsala University, Box 626, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
    Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Anna Shoemaker

    (Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, African and Comparative Archaeology, Uppsala University, Box 626, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Lindsey Gillson

    (Plant Conservation Unit, Botany Department, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa)

  • Paul Lane

    (Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, African and Comparative Archaeology, Uppsala University, Box 626, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
    Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ, UK
    School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Karl-Johan Lindholm

    (Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, African and Comparative Archaeology, Uppsala University, Box 626, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden)

Abstract

In this paper, we review the potential of biocultural heritage in biodiversity protection and agricultural innovation in sub-Saharan Africa. We begin by defining the concept of biocultural heritage into four interlinked elements that are revealed through integrated landscape analysis. This concerns the transdisciplinary methods whereby biocultural heritage must be explored, and here we emphasise that reconstructing landscape histories and documenting local heritage values needs to be an integral part of the process. Ecosystem memories relate to the structuring of landscape heterogeneity through such activities as agroforestry and fire management. The positive linkages between living practices, biodiversity and soil nutrients examined here are demonstrative of the concept of ecosystem memories. Landscape memories refer to built or enhanced landscapes linked to specific land-use systems and property rights. Place memories signify practices of protection or use related to a specific place. Customary protection of burial sites and/or abandoned settlements, for example, is a common occurrence across Africa with beneficial outcomes for biodiversity and forest protection. Finally, we discuss stewardship and change. Building on local traditions, inclusivity and equity are essential to promoting the continuation and innovation of practices crucial for local sustainability and biodiversity protection, and also offer new avenues for collaboration in landscape management and conservation.

Suggested Citation

  • Anneli Ekblom & Anna Shoemaker & Lindsey Gillson & Paul Lane & Karl-Johan Lindholm, 2019. "Conservation through Biocultural Heritage—Examples from Sub-Saharan Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:8:y:2019:i:1:p:5-:d:194412
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Joan Nyagwalla Otieno & Vittorio Bellotto & Lawrence Salaon Esho & Pieter Van den Broeck, 2023. "Conserving the Sacred: Socially Innovative Efforts in the Loita Enaimina Enkiyio Forest in Kenya," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Luambo Jeffrey Ramarumo, 2022. "Harnessing Ecosystem Services from Invasive Alien Grass and Rush Species to Suppress their Aggressive Expansion in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Krystyna Swiderska & Alejandro Argumedo & Chemuku Wekesa & Leila Ndalilo & Yiching Song & Ajay Rastogi & Philippa Ryan, 2022. "Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems and Biocultural Heritage: Addressing Indigenous Priorities Using Decolonial and Interdisciplinary Research Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-23, September.
    4. Fausto O. Sarmiento & Nobuko Inaba & Yoshihiko Iida & Masahito Yoshida, 2022. "Mountain Graticules: Bridging Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, and Historicity to Biocultural Heritage," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-21, December.
    5. Clio Kenterelidou & Fani Galatsopoulou, 2021. "Sustainable Biocultural Heritage Management and Communication: The Case of Digital Narrative for UNESCO Marine World Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-32, January.
    6. Griffiths, Victoria F. & Bull, Joseph W. & Baker, Julia & Infield, Mark & Roe, Dilys & Nalwanga, Dianah & Byaruhanga, Achilles & Milner-Gulland, E.J., 2020. "Incorporating local nature-based cultural values into biodiversity No Net Loss strategies," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    7. Ivan Murray & Gabriel Jover-Avellà & Onofre Fullana & Enric Tello, 2019. "Biocultural Heritages in Mallorca: Explaining the Resilience of Peasant Landscapes within a Mediterranean Tourist Hotspot, 1870–2016," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-22, April.
    8. Robert F. Baldwin & Karen F. Beazley, 2019. "Emerging Paradigms for Biodiversity and Protected Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-12, March.
    9. Maria Fernanda Rollo, 2025. "Interconnected Nature and People: Biosphere Reserves and the Power of Memory and Oral Histories as Biocultural Heritage for a Sustainable Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-33, April.

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