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14.00 - 14.15 TURNER, NANCY J., Ann Garibaldi, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C., CANADA V8W 2Y2, <nturner@uvic.ca> (NT), Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria (AG) CULTURAL KEYSTONE SPECIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION Ecologists have long recognized that some species, by virtue of the key roles they play in the overall structure and functioning of an ecosystem, are essential to its integrity. Similarly, in human cultures everywhere, there are species that form the contextual underpinnings of a culture, as reflected in their fundamental roles in diet, as materials, or in medicine. These species often also feature prominently in a people’s language, ceremonies and narratives and as cultural icons. Without certain key species, a culture itself would be completely different. An obvious example is western red-cedar (Thuja plicata) for Northwest Coast cultures of North America. These cultural keystone species are often also a prominent element of local ecosystems and may be harvested in large quantities, and intensively managed for quality and productivity. Given that biological conservation and ecological restoration embrace human cultures as integral ecosystem components, one approach that may contribute to success in research projects is to recognize and include such cultural keystone species in project design. In this paper, we explore the concept of cultural keystone species and present examples from First Nations cultures of British Columbia, Canada. 14.15 - 14.30 LANTZ, TREVOR C., and Nancy J. Turner. School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C., CANADA V8W 2Y2, <tlantz@uvic.ca> (NT), Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8W 2Y2 (TL) A THORNY ISSUE: DEVIL’S CLUB (OPLOPANAX HORRIDUS) COMMODIFICATION, CONSERVATION & CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE A growing consumer preference for traditional herbal medicines presents indigenous peoples with opportunities for wider recognition of their traditional knowledge systems and local economic development. However, there are many unresolved issues associated with commercialization of local products and associated knowledge. Increased harvesting and commercial sale of devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus; Araliaceae), one of the most culturally important plants for indigenous peoples living within its range in northwestern North America, raises concerns that over-harvesting may lead to population declines, and that commercial use without protection and compensation for traditional medicinal knowledge associated with this species is inappropriate. Data from devil’s club experimental harvesting indicates that intense commercial harvesting practices, in which large portions of decumbent stem and roots are removed, deplete the vegetative bud bank, hindering regeneration and recruitment, and potentially preventing long-term population persistence. Surveys of cultural knowledge associated with devil’s club and data from experimental harvesting trials emulating several traditional harvesting practices suggest that traditional harvesting methods can potentially aid in the development of sustainable management guidelines. However, the depth of the cultural significance of this plant, evidenced by data on traditional use, make it unlikely that commercialization is compatible with its cultural significance. 14.30 - 14.45 Ghimire Suresh K. and YILDIZ AUMEERUDDY-THOMAS. CEFE-CNRS, 1919 route de Mende, F-34293 Montpellier Cedex 5, France, <yildiz.thomas@cefe.cnrs-mop.fr> ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGHLY THREATENED MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE NEPAL HIMALAYA Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the Himalayas are highly threatened due to overexploitation. Scientific information regarding their sustainable utilization is greatly lacking. Since 1997, through an applied ethnobotanical project, we have focused on two aspects for the management of MAPs in northwest Nepal, i) monitoring population dynamics and simulating harvesting impacts of two highly threatened clonal species, viz., Nardostachys grandiflora (jatamansi) and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (kutki), and ii) understanding ethnoecological knowledge on resource use and management. Populations of MAPs were monitored in 400 plots (1m x 1m) in nine different sites of alpine pastures along harvesting gradients. Populations of both species were dominated by regeneration of ramets through vegetative means. Negative correlations were found on ramet recruitment and survivorship with harvesting intensities. Kutki showed rapid and successful multiplication and recovery of ramet than jatamansi. It is revealed that jatamansi is more vulnerable to harvesting than kutki, due to its different morphology and low reproductive success. Ethnoecological study revealed rich knowledge of people in terms of classification, use and management of resources. Specifically healers have adopted harvesting practices based on understanding of plant’s biology and ecology. The use of such knowledge will be valuable for developing management guidelines for Himalayan MAPs. 14.45 - 15.00 Discussion 15.30 - 15.45 Kyoshabire, Medius, Remigius Bukenya-Ziraba, and ROBERT HÖFT. UNESCO-Nairobi, P.O. Box 30592, Nairobi, Kenya <robert.hoft@unesco.unon.org>. BWINDI’S HERBALISTS (UGANDA): WHAT DO THEY COLLECT AND WHERE? Closure of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a national park and World Heritage site, to traditional medical practitioners created major conflict between the conservation community and local residents. The level of conflict and the amount of active damage to the park resulted in the introduction of multiple-use zones, from which registered users, including herbalists, would be allowed to harvest limited amounts of specified resources. This study compared four categories of medicinal plant users: traditional birth attendants, women general herbalists, male herbalists and male non-specialists. From each of the 100 interviewees, information about the plants collected, parts used, and their habitats were recorded. More than two-thirds of the 295 herbs or shrubs listed grow outside the protected area. Most plants were used in mixtures with leaves the most commonly used plant part. Men generally collected most medicinal resources from the forest and often used roots and bark while women relied on fallows and secondary bushland to collect mostly leaf material. Harvesting often requires the performance of certain rituals, which limit resource offtake and protect the resource. The findings suggest that the ‘no use’ approach does not benefit conservation in the long run as it creates local opposition against the protected area. 15.45 - 16.00 CUNNINGHAM, ANTHONY B. WWF/UNESCO/Kew People and Plants Initiative, 84 Watkins St., White Gum Valley, Fremantle, 6162, Australia, <peopleplants@bigpond.com>. CONFLICT, CONSERVATION AND COMPLEXITY: REVIEWING MULTIPLE-USE ZONE IMPLEMENTATION AROUND BWINDI-IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA, 1991-2001. Located in the densely populated landscape of southwestern Uganda, this 330km2 forest has been a focus of international conservation efforts as it provides one of the last refuges for half the world’s mountain gorilla population. This paper reviews an attempt to address the conflict between the surrounding local community and conservation of Bwindi-Impenetrable National Park (BINP), which followed its gazettement as a national park in 1991 from its earlier status as a forest reserve for over half a century. The multiple of local resource users surrounding the national park are only one layer of complexity which face implementation of measures to reduce conflict between local people and this conservation area. Rapid senior staff turnover amongst park wardens, changes in policy regarding benefit sharing and changes of emphasis with shifting roles between international conservation and development agencies have all added to the challenge of trying to implement multiple-use zoning. Local community involvement in conservation initiatives varies widely according to local circumstances and according to the views of those involved in designing and implementing such initiatives. In conclusion, this paper synthesizes what lessons were learned in this process and the type of pitfalls that could have been avoided along the way. 16.00 - 16.15 Höft, Robert, SUSANNE SCHMITT, and David Maingi. UNESCO-Nairobi, P.O. Box 30592, Nairobi, Kenya (RH), WWF UK Panda House, Weyside Park, Godalming GU7 1XR,UK, <sschmitt@wwf.org.uk> (SS). APPLYING FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL CERTIFICATION TO KENYAN WOODCARVINGS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS The Kenyan woodcarving industry employs up to 80,000 carvers with 350,000 dependants and generates c. US $21 million per year. However, dwindling hardwood resources are now putting livelihoods at risk and the cutting of c. 50,000 trees per year for carving alone contributes to the degradation of globally important, biodiversity-rich East African forests. Meanwhile, carvers have found alternatives in exotic species such as neem (Azadirachta indica) and jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) are abundant and produce fine carvings. People and Plants has advocated switching to these ‘Good Wood’ species, to carvers, tourists and importers, believing that strong market-led demand for ‘Good Wood’ carvings can change carver’s practices. Obtaining certification from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) could prove a pivotal tool in increasing economic incentives to carvers and offering consumers a clearly recognizable ethical choice, whilst reducing the impact on threatened Kenyan forests. Substantial barriers still need to be overcome for the pilot case of neem, produced on small-holder farms, in the coastal Malindi District, to be certifiable. If successful, however, this case has great potential to set a precedence for sustainable woodcarving and certification in Kenya and globally. This paper highlights the opportunities and current constraints of applying FSC certification to Kenyan woodcarving. 16.15 - 16.30 VANCE, NAN, Melissa Borsting, David Pilz, James Freed. Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA, <nvance@fs.fed.us> (NV DP), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (MB), and Washington State University, Pullman, WA (JF) FROM TAXUS TO TRILLIUM: THE COLLECTION AND USE OF NATIVE PLANTS IN THE NORTHWESTERN US Wild plants in the northwestern region of the U.S. contribute to floral, woodcraft decorative, medicinal, and natural foods markets where Internet commerce has made these products available to consumers worldwide. New immigration into the region of various ethnic groups, and perceptions of economic opportunity and plentiful resources have increased the number and kinds of wild plants harvested. Much of this harvest occurs on public lands with relatively little inventory, monitoring, or effective oversight. A broad approach was applied in developing information that provides a practical knowledge and understanding of these species. We first developed an inventory of commercially wild-harvested plants, then gathered and validated a wide range of information about these species. A literature search, along with interviews and meetings with harvesters, tribal people and managers resulted in descriptions of biological and ecological attributes of over 70 plants and fungi, wild harvest methods with alternatives to wild harvest, and their primary uses. We applied a set of criteria in identifying species vulnerable to harvest and reported areas of concern with regard to species conservation and importance to indigenous peoples. We found that most species can be cultivated, which has implications for managing these species in their native habitat. 16.30 - 17.00 NABHAN, GARY, Laurie Monti, and Lisa Classen, Center for Sustainable Environments, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, USA,<Gary.Nabhan@nau.edu> (GN, LM, LC). DOCUMENTING AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HARVESTS OF WILD FOODS, MEDICINES AND BASKETRY MATERIALS: ECO-LABELS AND INDIGENOUS PARA-ECOLOGISTS We report on efforts in the arid lands of the USA and Mexico to provide new income to remote rural communities of indigenous peoples through promoting the sustainable use of wild land plants for local and regional markets. We will present public opinion surveys of what attracts consumers to purchase such products for elevated prices compared to non-certified products, which may cause more ecological damage. In particular, we propose 1.) Training indigenous para-ecologists to monitor and evaluate harvesting impacts and 2.) Using eco-labels to distinguish a market niche for each certifiably sustainable product. A case study involving the Seri Indians of Mexico exemplifies the benefits to indigenous communities for such involvement. 17.00 - 17.30 Discussion led by Tony Cunningham |