Articlehybrid2023

Mepimbat tedul proujek: Indigenous knowledge of culturally significant freshwater turtles addresses species knowledge gaps in Northern Australia

Shaina Russell · Rukshana Sultana · Ngukurr Yangbala Rangers · Emilie J. Ens

15 citations0/0 files storedAustral Ecology

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Australian Indigenous Culture and History Indigenous Studies and Ecology Environmental and Cultural Studies in Latin America and Beyond

Abstract

Abstract Indigenous biocultural knowledge offers valuable insights for species conservation; however, like biological diversity, associated cultural knowledge is also often threatened. This paper demonstrates how Indigenous biocultural knowledge of species can contribute to addressing gaps in species occurrence data and conservation knowledge using a case study from the South East Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area (SEAL IPA), northern Australia. Using a series of mapping workshops and interviews this collaborative project recorded Indigenous biocultural knowledge of the distribution, ecology, cultural significance and threats to freshwater turtles (freshwoda teduls in the local Indigenous language, Roper River Kriol). Based on past freshwoda tedul hunting experiences, 74 Indigenous knowledge holders identified 753 past freshwoda tedul occurrences, significantly adding to the 12 occurrences previously listed for the SEAL IPA in Australia's online species database, the Atlas of Living Australia. Importantly, these were the first ‘memory’ records of past species sightings by Indigenous people to be recognized and added to Australia's national species database. In addition, a blog summarizing this research was promoted through the Atlas of Living Australia, raising awareness of the Indigenous biocultural knowledge associated with these species. The Mepimbat tedul proujek revealed the cultural significance of freshwoda teduls and reported declines in abundance since the turn of the century, implicating invasive hard‐hooved ungulates (buffalo, pig) and reduced rainfall. The addition of non‐sacred Indigenous knowledge to free online species databases may offer innovative solutions for storage, interaction and sharing of indigenous knowledge, with opportunities for intergenerational and cross‐cultural learning and broader application in conservation management and decision‐making.

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1981Snowball Sampling: Problems and Techniques of Chain Referral Sampling 2009Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and Contexts 2007Disciplining the Savages, Savaging the Disciplines 2005MAPPING INDIGENOUS LANDS 2012Co-occurrence of linguistic and biological diversity in biodiversity hotspots and high biodiversity wilderness areas 2012Moving from research ON, to research WITH and FOR Indigenous communities: A critical reflection on community‐based participatory research 1988Aboriginal knowledge of the mammals of the central deserts of Australia 2013Developing an Exploratory Framework Linking Australian Aboriginal Peoples’ Connection to Country and Concepts of Wellbeing

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