Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29543
Title: Cross-Cultural Monitoring of a Cultural Keystone Species Informs Revival of Indigenous Burning of Country in South-Eastern Australia
Contributor(s): McKemey, Michelle B  (author); Patterson, Maureen (Lesley) (author); Rangers, Banbai (author); Ens, Emilie J (author); Reid, Nick C H  (author)orcid ; Hunter, John T  (author)orcid ; Costello, Oliver (author); Ridges, Malcolm  (author); Miller, Cara  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2019
Early Online Version: 2019-12-17
DOI: 10.1007/s10745-019-00120-9
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29543
Abstract: Globally, Indigenous cultural burning has been practiced for millennia, although colonization limited Indigenous people’s ability to access and manage their ancestral lands. Recently, recognition of Indigenous fire management has been increasing, leading to the re-emergence of cultural burning in Australia, the Americas, parts of Asia and Africa. We describe how the Banbai people of south-eastern Australia have reintroduced cultural burning at Wattleridge Indigenous Protected Area. Our team of Banbai Rangers and non-Indigenous scientists conducted cross-cultural research to investigate the impact of burning on a cultural keystone species, the Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Our comparison of the effects of a low-intensity, patchy, cultural fire in the Wattleridge Indigenous Protected Area to a nearby higher intensity fire in Warra National Park through a Before-After-Control-Impact assessment indicated that the higher intensity fire reduced echidna foraging activity, possibly to avoid predation. Most importantly, we describe a cross-cultural research model whereby Indigenous rangers and non-Indigenous scientists work together to inform adaptive natural and cultural resource management. Such trans-disciplinary and collaborative research strengthens informed conservation decision-making and the social-ecological resilience of communities.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Human Ecology, 47(6), p. 893-904
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 1572-9915
0300-7839
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 050201 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Knowledge
050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 410407 Wildlife and habitat management
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960501 Ecosystem Assessment and Management at Regional or Larger Scales
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 180403 Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages: E8 Baanbay
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
School of Science and Technology

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