How do Indigenous and local knowledge systems respond to climate change?

Abstract

Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) systems are critical for achieving biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and other environmental goals. However, ILK systems around the world are increasingly threatened by multiple stressors.Our study assesses the effect of climate change on ILK held by crop farmers in Peru's Colca Valley. We collected qualitative data on farmers' ILK through semi-structured interviews, which we supplemented with climatological trend analysis in four Colca Valley districts. We found that shifts in the rainy season together with warmer weather affected farmers' ILK, which was less effective for informing crop planting and irrigation practices in the context of climate uncertainty and unpredictability. Changing and uncertain ILK poses obstacles to adaptation strategies that require long-term institution building from local resource users, who may prioritize short-term solutions addressing urgent needs.

The fast‐changing climate reality of Arequipa, Peru

“…Changes in climate including increased variability have reduced the effectiveness of traditional farm management for the local farmers in the Colca Canyon (Popovici et al ., 2021). As an example, farmers from the higher altitude Districts of the Caylloma Province in the Arequipa Department, Peru, have been challenged by the reduction of water availability, increased precipitation variability, higher crop water demand, and increased sickness of plants and animals (Erwin et al ., 2021).…”

“…As an example, farmers from the higher altitude Districts of the Caylloma Province in the Arequipa Department, Peru, have been challenged by the reduction of water availability, increased precipitation variability, higher crop water demand, and increased sickness of plants and animals (Erwin et al ., 2021). These new conditions challenge indigenous and local knowledge systems that are becoming less effective at managing agricultural practices (Popovici et al ., 2021) and are one of several reasons causing migration to bigger population centres (Erwin et al ., 2021). Knowledge of seasons, including the timing of frost and the onset of dormancy and the arrival of precipitation, that was once valued for crop management is less relevant in the face of observed changes in climate.…”

“…Despite the availability of global and continental climate datasets and climate change information, locally relevant quantification of historic trends in climate variables is still lacking in developing countries like Peru, especially at local scales. As noted by Popovici et al (2021), farmers from the Colca Valley in Arequipa can perceive the changes in climate; however, simply observing these changes does not necessarily help them manage their effects. The same farmers expressed the need for additional support, that among other things includes specialized information about local climate changes to help them implement local environmental and institutional management practices.…”

“…As noted by Popovici et al . (2021), farmers from the Colca Valley in Arequipa can perceive the changes in climate; however, simply observing these changes does not necessarily help them manage their effects. The same farmers expressed the need for additional support, that among other things includes specialized information about local climate changes to help them implement local environmental and institutional management practices.…”

Challenges and prospects of Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) initiative in Nepal as everyday adaptation

“…The fact that many of the community members believe that the limited recognition of local knowledge was one of the barriers to the implementation of LAPA demonstrates the power difference between different knowledge systems where science-based knowledge is valued over Indigenous and local knowledge Chhetri 2015, Ghimire andChhetri 2021). Local and Indigenous knowledge is changing and difficult to access, which poses a considerable obstacle in preparing adaptation strategies that call for long-term institution building with local stakeholders (Popovici et al 2021). Thus, the case of LAPA as an evolving initiative in terms of reconciling barriers and tackling power differences among institutions provides a nuanced understanding of barriers to local adaptation and the interplay between power and politics at the local level.…”