| Abstract |
We assessed the resilience of traditional ecological knowledge in new and emerging protected
areas by examining awareness, utilisation, and perceived effectiveness of the local
communities living in and around Liuwa Plain National Park and Simalaha Community
Conservancy. The social fabric of both protected areas is shaped by the traditional leadership
and culture of the Lozi Litunga, but they differ in years of existence and the approaches
used to manage natural resources as per the protected area categories of the International
Union for Conservation of Nature. This study was important, as traditional ecological
knowledge offers a valuable resource for managing natural resources and adapting to
climate change challenges, particularly in rural landscapes. Our findings indicate a high
awareness of traditional ecological knowledge in both protected areas, but its use and
perceived effectiveness were higher in Liuwa Plain National Park, an old and conventional
protected area, than in Simalaha Community Conservancy, a new and emerging protected
area. This difference was also significant among the younger community members. These
findings show that conservation governance systems and the transfer of knowledge between
generations strongly influence whether traditional ecological knowledge continues
to be practiced and valued, highlighting the importance of strengthening it within emerging
community-based conservation approaches. |
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