Guiding frameworks

Biocultural diversity refers to life's interconnected and interdependent entanglements in all its expressions: biological, cultural, and linguistic. This concept recognizes that the diversity of ecosystems, species, human cultures, and languages are not isolated phenomena but have co-evolved within complex socio-ecological systems. The loss of one aspect often correlates with the decline of the others, highlighting the importance of integrated conservation efforts that honor both nature and culture.​

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https://terralingua.org/

Luisa Maffi, a linguist and anthropologist, is a pioneer of this concept. In 1996, she co-founded Terralingua, an international nonprofit dedicated to sustaining biocultural diversity through research, education, policy, and on-the-ground action. Maffi's work emphasizes the vital connections between linguistic, cultural, and biological diversity, advocating for holistic approaches to conservation that respect and incorporate indigenous knowledge and cultural practices.

Kincentric ecology is a concept developed by ethnobotanist Enrique Salmón to describe the worldview held by many Indigenous cultures, in which humans see themselves as part of a family that includes all life forms and natural elements. Rather than viewing nature as separate or subordinate, kincentric ecology emphasizes reciprocal relationships, respect, and responsibility toward plants, animals, waters, and lands as kin. This perspective fosters a deep sense of connection, stewardship, and ethical interaction with the natural world.

Salmón introduced this framework in his seminal 2000 article, “Kincentric Ecology: Indigenous Perceptions of the Human–Nature Relationship," highlighting how Indigenous ecological knowledge systems are grounded in relationality and cultural practices that sustain biodiversity and resilience. He argues that seeing the natural world as kin invites more sustainable, respectful, and regenerative approaches to ecological stewardship (Salmón, 2000).

Reference:

Salmón, E. (2000). Kincentric ecology: Indigenous perceptions of the human–nature relationship. Ecological Applications, 10(5), 1327–1332. https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[1327:KEIPOT]2.0.CO;2

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) refers to the cumulative, place-based knowledge, practices, and beliefs Indigenous peoples develop through long-term relationships with their environment.

 TEK integrates ecological understanding with cultural, spiritual, and ethical values, guiding sustainable interactions with the land. Robin Wall Kimmerer, Potawatomi botanist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass, describes this knowledge as a way of seeing the natural world as a community of kin, emphasizing reciprocity, respect, and shared responsibility for the well-being of all living beings.

Reference:

Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Braiding sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants. Milkweed Editions.