Abstract ID: 3.11165 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, often referred to as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), is a defining component of most rural communities and their natural resources management. TEK has had a key role in sustainable management of natural resources through time, but its status has been dwindling since major changes started to happen in rural communities. Emigration to urban areas, changes in livelihood and climate change are affecting how mountain communities manage their resources. Loss of TEK due to these changes is not a concern only for those communities, but also for urban societies who benefit from ecosystem services generated in mountains. It is often assumed that TEK is disappearing or is largely lost in wealthy communities or in industrialized countries, such as in the European context. However, there is limited knowledge on the status of TEK in rural communities who still have a role in managing natural resources, such as the case of forest commons. Our current research investigates the composition, status and transmission of TEK in two forest commons in the eastern Italian Alps in San Vito di Cadore. We also explore potential strategies for TEK conservation within the community of the two forest commons. We employed a qualitative and quantitative methodological approach. First, we conducted in-depth interviews to experts to collect information of what TEK is in San Vito di Cadore, focusing on forests and pastures resources. Scientific and local literature was also consulted. A questionnaire was developed to explore TEK usage status at community level to manage key natural resources and channels and actors involved in TEK transmission. The questionnaire was administered to the whole community of the two forest commons examined. Finally, a focus group was organized with local stakeholders, including forest commons administrative staff, a forester, a local ethnographic museum director, a farmer and a forest worker. The focus group aimed to generate qualitative information about the structure of TEK, its application, concerns about its disappearance and exploring strategies for conserving key pieces of TEK. Our results should support the community in engaging in TEK conservation and preserve their role in resource use and management.