Lecture 1 Flashcards
Matching Traditional and Scientific Observations to Detect Environmental Change: A Discussion on Arctic Terrestrial Ecosystem PDF
. Science attempts to pro duce results that can be achieved again by different observers, establishing a general rather than a personal principle. TEK al lows people to survive and thrive by knowing what to expect, good or bad, and how to prepare for it. Both are based on ob servations and analysis, science through an explicit and formal process, and TEK through an implicit and flexible process
he results of the comparison can be placed in three categories: agreement (Table 1), disagreement (Table 2), and no corresponding observations (
EK and scientific observations that diverge may be particularly illuminating if they can point to specific topics for closer examination.
TEK
Traditional knowledge often relies on
emotion and observation.
Methods for documenting TEK include key-informant interviews, community surveys, and group workshops (14)
. First, TEK often empha sizes unusual events or conditions. These may be of particular relevance for safety, for example the possibility of dangerous ice conditions that may be rare but have serious consequenc es when they do occur. Second, the assessment of uncertainty, so impor tant in scientific studies, is not explic itly addressed within TEK, and it is often difficult or impossible to gauge uncertainty when documenting TEK. Thus, while the likelihood of certain connections or associations may be described quantitatively in scientific reports, it is typically impossible to make an assess ment of the uncertainty accompanying specific TEK observa tions. Third, TEK is typically local in spatial scale but may cover many decades and draw on knowledge handed down for many generations, in contrast to many scientific observations, which are typically intended to produce conclusions that are applicable across broader areas but which usually lack time depth greater than a decade or two at most
These are only some of the TEK approaches to understand ing patterns, processes and changes in the environment. These approaches are fluid, always adapting to the circumstances and needs of the observer. Determining reliability or credibility is typ ically a matter of assessing the credibility of the individual mak ing the observation.
Scientific Ecological Knowledge(science)
have a strong numerical component and at tempt to quantify the variability (that is one part of the uncer tainty) associated with the observation
peer reviewed and highly reviewed
A basic principle of the scientific approach is to separate emotion and other “subjective”
influences from what can be independently and consistently observed by different
people. In this system, temperature can be measured in degrees by a thermometer, but
“hot” and “cold” are subjective value judgments rather than objective measurements.
The intent is to understand the world through rigorous, impersonal exploration of specific
phenomena with explicit acknowledgment of potential biases, limitations and
uncertainties. The important characteristic of the natural science system is the idea that
data – observations and measurements – are appropriate inputs for analysis and the
foundation for action
Scientific knowledge is typically generated by formal studies or projects designed to
examine a specific topic often through testing of hypotheses.
Scientific research is dependent upon funding, the limitations of which may not allow all
interesting or important questions to be addressed. Scientific studies vary in duration
The duration of the study can limit the breadth and scope of
inquiry though it also promotes results-driven activities to justify further funding.
Published once reviewed
Traditional Knowledge of the Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) around St. Lawrence Island, Alaska PDF
In 2004, the United States launched a substantial program that includes, among other things, genetics, aerial photo-identification, traditional knowledge, satellite telemetry, and stable-carbon analysis of baleen (see Rugh et al., 2003, for more discussion about stock structure research for bowhead whales).
We conducted this study to document traditional knowledge held by Yupik whalers in the two communities of Gambell and Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island (Fig. 1). Our goal was to record local understanding of important and otherwise unavailable information about bowhead whales in the northern Bering Sea (IWC, 2005), including (a) the migratory patterns and seasonal distribution of bowhead whales near St. Lawrence Island, (b) the possibility of distinct stocks or sub-stocks in the area, and (c) changes over time in bowhead abundance and distribution.
Comments from the local whalers indicate that they regarded this sharing of information as enjoyable and important, and that it helped create a sense of shared enterprise between the researchers and interview participant
Yupik is the language that the whalers use when discussing whales and whaling among themselves, and as noted in the previous section, it has specific terms to describe complex suites of environmental phenomena.
While present conditions may not favor traditional hunting, the whalers believe that bowhead whales are healthy as individuals and as a population. In the mid-20th century, Gambell whalers might stay out on the water or ice all day hoping to see one whale, but today, whales are seen frequently even if conditions prevent the whalers from reaching them
How we make sense of that information is our _____ ______
belief system.
Different groups of people share common
beliefs, understandings and values and therefore can be recognized as having distinct ______
cultures.
Barrow Alaska Commercial Whalers Vs. Indigenous Wahlers
In Barrow, Alaska, in the late 1800s, commercial whalers from the eastern United States brought with them new ideas about proper behavior when whaling. Iñupiat whalers expected the newcomers to fail. When they did not fail, some Iñupiat thought traditional
ways did not apply to the newcomers, but still applied to Iñupiat. Some Iñupiat followed the ways of the newcomers and still succeeded, undermining traditional ways (Brower, 1942). Nonetheless, many traditional beliefs associated with whaling persist today, indicating the adoption of new practices is not an all-or-nothing step, but more likely a matter of melding and synthesis.
Module 1 Questions:
1. List at least two ways traditional knowledge is acquired and two ways scientific knowledge is acquired.
- Why is a person’s belief system important in understanding how people interpret their observations?
- Give examples to show why the transmission and sharing of traditional and scientific knowledge is important.
- Why are stories not commonly used to transmit scientific knowledge?
- List at least two ways traditional knowledge is acquired and two ways scientific knowledge is acquired.
Traditional knowledge: observation, experience, learning from others (e.g., stories, songs, dances, artwork). Scientific knowledge: observation, experiment, measurement, modeling - Why is a person’s belief system important in understanding how people interpret their observations?
Each belief system is a framework for making sense of what one observes. The same observations may be interpreted differently depending on one’s worldview.
Before concluding that the other person does not understand, it is important to consider how his or her belief system may help shape his or her view of a given
set of observations. - Give examples to show why the transmission and sharing of traditional and scientific knowledge is important.
Traditional knowledge: An individual’s own experiences cannot be as broad as the experiences of an entire group of people. Learning from others can help identify unusual events or circumstances, allowing everyone to benefit from one person’s rare experience. (Other answers are possible!).
Scientific knowledge: Scientific fields are too large and diverse for any individual to become expert in them all, much less gain first-hand knowledge. Transmission of reliable findings through publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals is a way to make one’s results available to a broad scientific audience. - Why are stories not commonly used to transmit scientific knowledge?
Stories typically reflect the personalities and experiences of the person telling the story. Science typically aims for impersonal, objective description, separating the information from the individual presenting it.
Define:
Belief System:
Scientific Knowledge:
Traditional Knowledge:
Belief System: one of many ways of organizing one’s understanding of the world in order to create a coherent view of one’s surroundings and place therein.
Scientific Knowledge: knowledge acquired by systematic, rigorous, replicable, objective procedures designed to reduce the role of personal bias.
Traditional Knowledge: knowledge acquired by experience and observation,
transmitted within a community or culture, including emotional and spiritual dimensions.
