This book is a unique compendium and analysis of projects from all over the world that take an integrated biocultural approach to sustaining cultures and biodiversity. The 45 projects reviewed in the book exemplify this new focus in conservation, based on the emerging realization that protecting and restoring biodiversity and maintaining and revitalizing cultural diversity and cultural vitality are intimately interrelated. This implies that to maintain biodiversity it is also necessary to sustain cultural diversity; conversely, in order to sustain cultural diversity, it is necessary to maintain biodiversity.

The book shows how biocultural diversity conservation is done in practice, using a diversity of approaches adapted to a variety of contexts. The methodological diversity that is adapted to different contexts is in line with the biocultural diversity of life itself, and confers individual and collective strength to these integrated conservation efforts. The book reviews the theory of biocultural diversity and why it is relevant for conservation; presents and analyzes the projects; draws lessons learned; offers recommendations and proposes next steps for the further development of this approach; and considers the role of biocultural diversity in relation to the future of sustainability.

February 2010 •  224 pages •  246 x 189mm
£34.95  Paperback ISBN 9781844079216
£95.00 Hardback ISBN 9781844079209
Order information: www.earthscan.co.uk/?tabid=101785

Table of Contents

Foreword by Gonzalo Oviedo, IUCN
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Why a Sourcebook on Biocultural Diversity?
Part I: Biocultural Diversity: Conceptual Framework
1. What Is Biocultural Diversity?
2. Why Is a Biocultural Approach Relevant for Sustaining Life in Nature and Culture?
Part II: Sustaining Biocultural Diversity: The Projects
3. Surveying Biocultural Diversity Projects Around the World
4. Overview of the Projects
5. Cross-cutting Analysis of the Projects
6. Lessons Learned from the Projects
Part III: Sustaining Biocultural Diversity: Future Directions
7. Filling the Gaps and Connecting the Dots: Recommendations and Next Steps
8. Biocultural Diversity and the Future of Sustainability
References
Appendix 1: Analytical Tables
Appendix 2: Survey Details
Appendix 3: Survey Contributor Information
Appendix 4: Directory of Selected Resources on Biocultural Diversity
Appendix 5: About Terralingua
Appendix 6: About the Authors

About the Authors

Luisa Maffi, Ph.D., is a linguist and anthropologist, and one of the originators of the field of biocultural diversity. She is co-founder and Director of the international NGO Terralingua. She is based in British Columbia.

Ellen Woodley works as an ecological consultant in environment and development, specializing in issues of local and traditional ecological knowledge. She is based in Ontario, Canada.