Species and Cultural Conservation in New Zealand: Maori Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Tuatara

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00620.x Byline: KRISTINA M. RAMSTAD (*[dagger][dagger]), N. J. NELSON ([dagger]), G. PAINE ([double dagger]), D. BEECH ([double dagger]), A. PAUL (s.), P. PAUL (s.), F. W. ALLENDORF (*), C. H. DAUGHERTY ([dagger]) Keywords: indigenous knowledge; New Zealand; reptile conservation; Sphenodon; TEK Abstract: Abstract: Traditional ecological knowledge can be highly informative and integrated with complementary scientific knowledge to improve species management. This is especially true for abundant species with which indigenous peoples have frequent interactions (e.g., through harvest), but has been studied less frequently in isolated or declining species. We examined Maori traditional ecological knowledge of tuatara (Sphenodon spp., reptiles that resemble lizards but are the last living representatives of the order Sphenodontia) through semidirected interviews of elders of Te Atiawa, Ngati Koata, and Ngati Wai Iwi (similar to tribes), the guardians of several islands currently inhabited by tuatara. Maori are indigenous to New Zealand, having settled 800 to 1000 years ago. Tuatara are endemic to New Zealand, have declined in numbers since human settlement, and are now restricted to 37 offshore islands. The detail and volume of tuatara traditional ecological knowledge were less than that recorded in studies of more abundant or accessible species. In addition, traditional knowledge of the cultural significance of tuatara was more common and detailed among the elders than traditional knowledge of tuatara biology or ecology. The traditional knowledge collected, however, provided the first evidence of seven former sites of tuatara occupation, suggested five additional sites tuatara may currently occupy, contained novel hypotheses for scientific testing, and described tuatara cultural roles that have not been reported previously. We conclude that, in at least some cases, traditional ecological knowledge may persist as species decline and may serve as a valuable source of ecological information for conservation. Abstract (Spanish): Conservacion Cultural y de Especies en Nueva Zelanda: Conocimiento Ecologico Tradicional Maori de la Tuatara Resumen: El conocimiento ecologico tradicional puede ser muy informativo y puede ser integrado a conocimiento cientifico complementario para mejorar el manejo de especies. Esto es especialmente cierto para especies abundantes con las que los indigenas tienen interacciones frecuentes (e.g., por medio de la explotacion), pero ha sido estudiado menos frecuentemente en especies aisladas o en declinacion. Examinamos el conocimiento ecologico tradicional Maori sobre el tuatara (Sphenodon spp., reptiles que asemejan lagartijas pero que son los ultimos representantes vivos del orden Sphenodontia) mediante entrevistas semidirigidas con ancianos de Te Atiawa, Ngati Koata, and Ngati Wai Iwi (similares a tribus), los guardianes de varias islas actualmente no habitadas por el tuatara. Los Maori son nativos de Nueva Zelanda que se establecieron hace 800-1000 anos. El tuatara es endemico a Nueva Zelanda y ha declinado en numero desde el establecimiento de humanos; actualmente esta restringido a 37 islas. El detalle y volumen de conocimiento ecologico tradicional sobre tuatara fue menor al registrado en estudios de especies mas abundantes o accesibles. Adicionalmente, el conocimiento tradicional de los ancianos sobre el significado cultural del tuatara fue mas comun y detallado que el conocimiento tradicional de la biologia o ecologia del tuatara. Sin embargo, el conocimiento tradicional registrado proporciono la primera evidencia de siete sitios previamente ocupados por tuatara, sugirio cinco sitios adicionales a los que ocupa actualmente el tuatara, contenia hipotesis novedosas y describia papeles culturales del tuatara que no habian sido reportados previamente. Concluimos que, en por lo menos algunos casos, el conocimiento ecologico tradicional puede persistir aun si las especies declinan y puede servir como una valiosa fuente de informacion ecologica para la conservacion. Author Affiliation: (*)Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, U.S.A. ([dagger])School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand ([double dagger])Te Atiawa Manawhenua ki te Tau Ihu Trust, Waikawa Marae, P.O. Box 340, Picton, New Zealand (s.)Ngati Koata no Rangitoto ki te Tonga Trust, P.O. Box 63, Nelson, New Zealand Article History: Paper submitted April 18, 2006; revised manuscript accepted August 30, 2006. Article note: ([dagger][dagger]) Current address: School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand, email kristina.ramstad@vuw.ac.nz