Biocultural Diversity in Melanesia

Abstract

The book starts with a review of background information related to East Melanesian Biodiversity Hotspot—especially the Solomon Islands, human adaptation and biocultural diversity, as well as socioeconomic changes. Many studies have documented the rich knowledge of the local peoples and their use of local floral or faunal and other aspects of the region’s biological and physical environments. Recently, however, environmental anthropologists have debated whether traditional societies have voluntarily intended to preserve the natural world and whether their knowledge and practices have been adapted to the purpose of environmental preservation.

The goal of this book is to document the practices and knowledge of the Roviana people in relation to their use and management of biodiversity while using an interdisciplinary approach. In so doing, this book addresses the following general questions: “What kinds of factors have determined sustainability versus loss of biocultural diversity in Solomon Islands?” “How do the people of Solomon Islands recognize the conservation of nature and biodiversity in a traditional way or under socioeconomic change?” and “How can the society of Solomon Islands achieve such harmony under the currently changing socioeconomic conditions?” These questions are closely related with recent discussions taking place at the global scale.