Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South America
Abstract Since the mid‐20th century, the so‐called Great Acceleration (sensu Steffen et al., 2007, https://doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447(2007)36[614:TAAHNO]2.0.CO;2) has amplified processes of ecosystem degradation, extinction of biological species, displacement of local peoples, losses of languages, an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
2023-04-01
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| Series: | GeoHealth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GH000623 |
| _version_ | 1797825551360065536 |
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| author | Ricardo Rozzi Ricardo Álvarez Victoria Castro David Núñez Jaime Ojeda Alejandra Tauro Francisca Massardo |
| author_facet | Ricardo Rozzi Ricardo Álvarez Victoria Castro David Núñez Jaime Ojeda Alejandra Tauro Francisca Massardo |
| author_sort | Ricardo Rozzi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Since the mid‐20th century, the so‐called Great Acceleration (sensu Steffen et al., 2007, https://doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447(2007)36[614:TAAHNO]2.0.CO;2) has amplified processes of ecosystem degradation, extinction of biological species, displacement of local peoples, losses of languages, and cultural diversity. These losses are still underperceived by the academic community, and by a global society that is disconnected from biocultural diversity. To reconnect society with biocultural diversity, we integrate temporal and spatial dimensions of seasonal cycles, by combining two conceptual frameworks: ecological calendars and the “3Hs” model of the biocultural ethic (sensu Rozzi, 2012, https://doi.org/10.5840/enviroethics20123414). The latter values the vital links between human and other‐than‐human co‐inhabitants, their life habits (e.g., cultural practices of humans or life cycles of other‐than‐human species), and the structure and processes of their shared habitats. This integration enhances an understanding of links between cultural practices and the life cycles of biocultural keystone species. As a synthesis, we use the term biocultural calendars to emphasize their co‐constitutive nature that result from interactions between dynamic biophysical and cultural processes embedded in specific ecosystems and cultures. These calendars link astronomical, biological, and cultural seasonal cycles that sustain life and enhance the integration of Indigenous and scientific knowledge to confront challenges of climate change faced from local to global scales. To illustrate this integration, we examine cultural practices and socio‐environmental changes across four contrasting ethnolinguistic communities in southwestern South America, from southern to northern Chile along a marked climatic gradient to show the broad application of the concept of biocultural calendars. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T10:55:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b75f88aed38249ac89357c9ecbf4fac4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2471-1403 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T10:55:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | American Geophysical Union (AGU) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | GeoHealth |
| spelling | doaj.art-b75f88aed38249ac89357c9ecbf4fac42023-05-17T04:35:48ZengAmerican Geophysical Union (AGU)GeoHealth2471-14032023-04-0174n/an/a10.1029/2022GH000623Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South AmericaRicardo Rozzi0Ricardo Álvarez1Victoria Castro2David Núñez3Jaime Ojeda4Alejandra Tauro5Francisca Massardo6Cape Horn International Center (CHIC) Omora Ethnobotanical Park Universidad de Magallanes Puerto Williams ChileCape Horn International Center (CHIC) Omora Ethnobotanical Park Universidad de Magallanes Puerto Williams ChileCape Horn International Center (CHIC) Omora Ethnobotanical Park Universidad de Magallanes Puerto Williams ChileCape Horn International Center (CHIC) Omora Ethnobotanical Park Universidad de Magallanes Puerto Williams ChileCape Horn International Center (CHIC) Omora Ethnobotanical Park Universidad de Magallanes Puerto Williams ChileCape Horn International Center (CHIC) Omora Ethnobotanical Park Universidad de Magallanes Puerto Williams ChileCape Horn International Center (CHIC) Omora Ethnobotanical Park Universidad de Magallanes Puerto Williams ChileAbstract Since the mid‐20th century, the so‐called Great Acceleration (sensu Steffen et al., 2007, https://doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447(2007)36[614:TAAHNO]2.0.CO;2) has amplified processes of ecosystem degradation, extinction of biological species, displacement of local peoples, losses of languages, and cultural diversity. These losses are still underperceived by the academic community, and by a global society that is disconnected from biocultural diversity. To reconnect society with biocultural diversity, we integrate temporal and spatial dimensions of seasonal cycles, by combining two conceptual frameworks: ecological calendars and the “3Hs” model of the biocultural ethic (sensu Rozzi, 2012, https://doi.org/10.5840/enviroethics20123414). The latter values the vital links between human and other‐than‐human co‐inhabitants, their life habits (e.g., cultural practices of humans or life cycles of other‐than‐human species), and the structure and processes of their shared habitats. This integration enhances an understanding of links between cultural practices and the life cycles of biocultural keystone species. As a synthesis, we use the term biocultural calendars to emphasize their co‐constitutive nature that result from interactions between dynamic biophysical and cultural processes embedded in specific ecosystems and cultures. These calendars link astronomical, biological, and cultural seasonal cycles that sustain life and enhance the integration of Indigenous and scientific knowledge to confront challenges of climate change faced from local to global scales. To illustrate this integration, we examine cultural practices and socio‐environmental changes across four contrasting ethnolinguistic communities in southwestern South America, from southern to northern Chile along a marked climatic gradient to show the broad application of the concept of biocultural calendars.https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GH000623conservationecologybiocultural ethicsworldviewsChileclimate change |
| spellingShingle | Ricardo Rozzi Ricardo Álvarez Victoria Castro David Núñez Jaime Ojeda Alejandra Tauro Francisca Massardo Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South America GeoHealth conservation ecology biocultural ethics worldviews Chile climate change |
| title | Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South America |
| title_full | Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South America |
| title_fullStr | Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South America |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South America |
| title_short | Biocultural Calendars Across Four Ethnolinguistic Communities in Southwestern South America |
| title_sort | biocultural calendars across four ethnolinguistic communities in southwestern south america |
| topic | conservation ecology biocultural ethics worldviews Chile climate change |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GH000623 |
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