Ethnobiology and Development in Asia

Ethnobiology and Development in Asia: The Belt and Road Initiative offers a groundbreaking perspective on the interplay between traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and biological resources along historical and contemporary trade routes across Asia. Against the backdrop of an interlinked climate, biodiversity, and land degradation crisis, generating robust knowledge that includes local and indigenous perspectives is crucial. This book explores how communities across diverse ecological zones interact with their environment, how species and cultures have moved along the Belt and Road, and how grassroots initiatives are driving sustainable development.

Structured into three key sections - Common species and cultures along the Belt and Road, Flows of species and cultures, and Community-based initiatives - this volume presents a novel interpretation of the Belt and Road Initiative through an ethnobiological lens. From the Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests, from ancient silk routes to maritime trading paths, from rural places to urban settings, 49 in-depth chapters document how people have developed sophisticated relationships with local species and ecosystems, creating a rich traditional knowledge of biological and cultural diversity. The book also emphasizes how local communities together with various stakeholders explore vibrant and innovative ways of living in harmony with nature.

Aimed at researchers, policymakers, and the wider public, this book underscores the value of traditional knowledge in global discussions on climate change and biodiversity conservation. It calls for urgent action to respect and protect indigenous knowledge systems and contributes to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)' integrated approach to biodiversity and ecosystem services. Through its detailed ethnobiological analysis, this book offers a practical guide for integrating traditional knowledge into mainstream conservation and development strategies, thereby supporting sustainable community development along the Belt and Road.