Traditional knowledge,

sustainable use,

and conservation

Håkan TunónSwedish Biodiversity Centre

Uppsala

Convention on biological diversity

• article 1The objectives of this Convention, … , are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, …

Convention on biological diversity

article 8(j): ”Subject to national legislation, respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge, innovations and practices”

Indigenous communities?

Traditional

knowledge?

Modernt fiske?

Why preserve traditional knowledge?

• Preserve cultural diversity and local cultural identity

• Create traditional innovations for a sustainable society

• Promote local products (traditional and traditional innovations) to ensure rural development

• Conserve biodiversity through the preservation of traditional landuse pattern

Man, plants and animals:ethnobiology in Sweden

• Present the relationship between man and animals and plants i Sweden

• Suggest future uses for a sustainable society

• Motivate conservation of biodiversity by mentioning the use– conservation of both wild and domesticated biodiversity

Man, plants, and animals

• Annual ethnobiological

symposia

• Periodical: Studia

ethnobiologica

• Three volume

encyclopedia

These books show:• the traditional use of biodiversity as well

as the diversity of traditional knowledge

(ethnobiodiversity)

• the necessity of and potential of

biodiversity

• the diversity of our cultural heritage and

our common cultural identity

• the close connection between culture and

nature

A national programme• Preserve and document traditional knowledge

• Maintain traditional knowledge• Promote a wider application of traditional knowledge

• Promote research on traditional knowledge

• Take part in the international discussions

Håkan TunónCBM, Box 7007

SE-750 07 UppsalaSweden

Hakan.Tunon@cbm.slu.sewww.cbm.slu.se/etnobio/etnobiologi.htm