title: Cultural erosion and biodiversity: canoe-making knowledge in Pohnpei, Micronesia.
abstract: Erosion of traditional knowledge and practice is a serious and accelerating problem, but quantitative work on traditional knowledge loss and its importance to biodiversity conservation is lacking. We investigated traditional knowledge of canoe making, a skill heavily dependent on plant biodiversity, on Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, through a survey of 180 island residents. Our results showed that there has been an intergenerational erosion of canoe-making skills. Given current trends, the present generation of Pohnpeians may be the last to retain any knowledge of this traditional craft. We also identified several correlates of knowledge loss-including Western educational level and occupation-that highlight potential avenues for skill conservation via governments, traditional leadership, and schools. These institutions could intervene to emphasize traditional knowledge, which would reinforce institutional contexts in which traditional knowledge and practice is valued. The heightened awareness of the value of biodiversity that is linked to traditional knowledge is key to biological conservation on Pohnpei and can help support local conservation programs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Economic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458, USA. bbrosi@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Berry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Brosi
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Balick
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wolkow
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kostka
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Raynor
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallen
authors.forename: Ally
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raynor
authors.forename: Pelihter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raynor
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee Ling
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003469:Culture; D006801:Humans; D008849:Micronesia / Q000208:ethnology; D012767:Ships