Biocultural landscape conservation in the framework of landscape ecology: a European perspective

Symposium organised by:

Gloria Pungetti, Cambridge Centre for Landscape and People and Darwin College, University of Cambridge, UK.
cclp@hermes.cam.ac.uk

Oliver Rackham, Cambridge Centre for Landscape and People and Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge, UK.

Summary

This symposium will explore the link between cultural and ecological diversity; demonstrate ways in which biocultural landscape and diversity can contribute to conservation biology; improve understanding of cultural and spiritual values of landscapes and ecosystems; and promote the integration of these values into policy, planning and management.

Description

The link between natural, cultural and spiritual values of landscape and its cultures is an essential component for the healthy management of earth. This was addressed at the 2011 IALE World Congress where a worldwide Working Group on Biocultural Landscape was set up. This symposium will further discuss advances on biocultural diversity, sacred landscape and traditional knowledge in the framework of European landscape ecology. The aim is to offer original interdisciplinary insights for future conservation, planning and management at different scales, with outcomes for both research and policy.

The symposium will explore biocultural diversity and landscape ecology. It will consider sacred species, sites and biocultural landscapes alongside traditional ecological knowledge and communities. Integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to multiple functions and values of biocultural landscapes, considering their cultural and socio-economic changes, will be discussed.  Ecosystem and landscape services, human wellbeing and socio-ecological production will be considered together with the resilience of biocultural landscapes in ancient and modern contexts.

As well as developing ongoing research, the symposium will consider the integration of biocultural landscape heritage and values into policy, planning and management at different levels.

Impact

Results will be reported to the next IALE World Congress and to the IUCN-CCLP 3S Initiative on Sacred Species and Sites. Relevant presentations might be considered for a volume or for papers in international journals.

Oral presentations