Eroding Traditional Ecological Knowledge. A Case Study in Bolivia

Abstract

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) adjusts to changes in its socioecological system (SES). We focus on understanding if and how TEK´s spiritual, social, and ecological aspects relate to each other and examine the main socioecological factors that impact the transmission of TEK within and across generations. Based on quantitative and qualitative data on traditional weather forecasting in rural Bolivia, we found four factors affecting TEK’s dissemination: formal education, migration, a new religion, and the politicization of rural unions. Despite the slow disappearance of TEK, we also found that hybrid knowledge reinforces interest in TEK.