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Local Knowledge and Scientific Perceptions: Questions of Validity in Environmental Knowledge

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Beyond the Biophysical

Abstract

Local ecological knowledge has been subject to a great deal of debate in recent decades. Early strands of this literature could be easily classified into two camps – one which purports the adaptive logic and scientific validity of local knowledge, and the other which seeks to expose its flaws by illustrating its divergence from scientific understandings. While acknowledging subsequent attempts to question this dichotomy (Agrawal (Development and Change 26:413–439, 1995); Long (Development Sociology: Actor Perspectives. London and New York: Routledge, 2001); Pottier et al. (Negotiating Local Knowledge: Power and Identity in Development. London: Pluto Press, 2003)), this chapter maintains the distinction as a means of exploring claims to validity of diverse bodies of knowledge. It does this through a series of case studies on biophysical processes that have been subject to much debate and misunderstanding in both public and scientific spheres. Local and scientific knowledge are juxtaposed in two ways. By highlighting biophysical processes for which local and scientific understandings diverge but for which local ecological knowledge is nevertheless functionally sound, the adaptive capacity of local knowledge is illustrated. As is shown, empirical foundations to local ecological knoweldge may be found even behind purportedly “erroneous” perceptions of cause and effect. Secondly, by exposing the subjectivities of scientific understandings on certain biophysical processes, the grounding of even the most “objective” knowledge in perceptual and political biases is illustrated. Case studies on shifting agriculture, watershed function, and ecological processes that challenge our predictive capacities help to illustrate both the scientific foundations of local knowledge and the “perceptual” foundations of science. The intention is neither to discredit scientific understandings nor to place undue emphasis on the merits of local ways of knowing, but rather to expose the unfair value judgements leveraged against the latter historically – and to call for a more even playing field in the politics of environmental knowledge.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Alternatively coined “dominant narratives” (Roe 1991), “environmental orthodoxies” (Batterbury et al. 1997), “received wisdom” (Kull 2004), or “doxa” (Chapter 8, applying the ideas of Bourdieu).

  2. 2.

    Epistemology is the theory of knowledge, especially with regard to methods, validity and scope. It is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion.

  3. 3.

    “Constructivism” is a theory of knowledge which argues that humans generate knowledge and meaning from their experience interacting with each other and with the environment they live in. Constructivist theories of psychology view learning as an active process of (re)construction rather than as a transmission of existing knowledge. “Social constructivism” extends constructivism into social settings, with a major focus on uncovering the ways in which individuals and groups collaborate in creating their perceived social reality.

  4. 4.

    Ecosystem resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to tolerate disturbance without collapsing into a qualitatively different state (www.resalliance.org).

  5. 5.

    This might be called “epistemological subjugation,” or the forced submission of one’s foundations of knowledge (including its nature, validity and scope) to control by others.

  6. 6.

    Smokey the Bear is a cartoon figure utilized to mobilize the public against forest and wildfires in the United States.

  7. 7.

    Resulting from the creation of patchy landscapes and attraction of herbivores away from overgrazed (unburnt) areas with more palatable new forage (Archibald et al. 2005; Wisheu et al. 2000).

  8. 8.

    Of human origin.

  9. 9.

    From replacement of indigenous trees and competition with undergrowth on communal lands.

  10. 10.

    South Africa is an important exception, with publicly funded research on the effects of plantation establishment on streamflow reduction being conducted since the 1930s (see Scott and Lesch 1997 and Scott and Smith 1997 for recent examples of this research).

  11. 11.

    As opposed to always reflecting some “objective”, material reality.

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  1. Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), 0113 BOCBD, Bogor, 16000, Indonesia

    Laura German

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  1. Research (CIFOR), Center for International Forestry, Jalan CIFOR, Bogor Barat, 16115, Indonesia

    Laura A. German

  2. School of International Development &, Global Studies (SIDGS), University of Ottawa, Cumberland Street 550, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada

    Joshua J. Ramisch

  3. Inst. Poverty, Land &, Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

    Ritu Verma

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German, L. (2010). Local Knowledge and Scientific Perceptions: Questions of Validity in Environmental Knowledge. In: German, L., Ramisch, J., Verma, R. (eds) Beyond the Biophysical. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8826-0_5

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