Indigenous ecological knowledge and natural resource management in the cultural landscape of China's Hani Terraces

Abstract

Indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) can contribute to the management of local ecosystems and landscapes. Cultural landscapes are produced by and reflect the long‐term interactions between humans and nature in indigenous societies. Yunnan Province, located in southwestern China, is the homeland of many ethnic groups, and is also a refuge for numerous species of wild plants and animals. Indigenous people in Yunnan, who have rich ecological knowledge, play an important role in the conservation of local biodiversity and the region's unique terraced agricultural landscapes. We used the Hani people and their outstanding cultural landscape of rice terraces in Yuanyang County of Yunnan Province as a case study to describe their worldview and discuss their formation of IEK; their roles in the preservation of rice landraces and in pest regulation; their management of water, forest, and soil resources; and the vertical landscape pattern and resource‐circulation system that has evolved in the areas managed by the Hani. We also discuss the challenges and threats facing the Hani, their IEK, and their cultural landscape, as well as discuss the potential for integration of the Hani's IEK with modern conservation efforts.

Reviewing the Progress in the Identification, Conservation and Management of China-Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS)

“…Their cultural values are embodied in their farming culture and its related rules and regulations [28,36], religious rituals, customs and habits, traditional knowledge and adapted technologies [37][38][39], which are able to promote and sustain the harmony between humanity and nature [40].…”

Responding to common questions on the conservation of agricultural heritage systems in China

“…Another reason rests with that the multi-functionality of such systems which greatly reduces the pressure brought about by surplus labor in rural areas . The cultural values of agricultural heritage systems are embodied in their farming culture and its related rules and regulations (Liu et al, 2011;Bai et al, 2013), religious rituals, customs and habits, traditional knowledge and adapted technologies (Rao et al, 2009;Xu et al, 2010;Xue, 2011;Jiao et al, 2012;Yuan et al, 2013;, which are able to promote and sustain the harmony between humanity and the nature (Long, 2011). They are also represented in folk legends, songs and dances, diet, clothing and architectural culture related to agricultural activities, which act as an important medium to maintain cultural identity and promote cultural inheritance (He et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2011c).…”

Evaluation of Tourism Water Capacity in Agricultural Heritage Sites

“…In the Hani terraces, the locals have developed a complex water management system to use water resources in a sustainable way [2], such as the invention of wooden/stone water barriers, the shuizhang (The "shuizhang" is the master of the water ditches and use his knowledge about the relationship between forest and water to determine dates and flows) institution, and rice terraces water control [7]. Besides, the heritage system shows a clear vertical structure made up of forests, water system, terraces and villages on the valley sides.…”

“…The Hani terraces have formed spectacular "forest-village-terrace-river" ecological landscapes, which spread for more than 70,000 ha over 1300 years. The Hani people, their indigenous agricultural technologies and practices, their selection of settlement sites and traditional customs for environmental protection and conservation all show an adaptive relationship with nature [2][3][4][5][6][7]. These practices have been developed over time, and invariably involve the management of water.…”