A cultural framework for Indigenous, Local, and Science knowledge systems in ecology and natural resource management

The relationship between Indigenous, Local, and Science knowledge systems has been the subject of much debate over the past few decades, especially in ecology and natural resource management. In this monograph, we review available scholarship to develop a pragmatic framework for representation of knowledge systems in general, with specific emphasis on productive engagement between individuals from different communities and cultures. We distill operational definitions/explanations of fundamental concepts associated with data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. With these concepts clarified, we reconsider previous applications of sociocultural knowledge system thinking, focusing on system structure and function. Our analysis leads to convergence on a set of fundamental knowledge system processes and actor roles that have emerged repeatedly across many of the scholarly disciplines. We embed these key concepts within a general framework for operational characterization of sociocultural knowledge systems. In order to demonstrate existing and potential applications of the knowledge system framework, we present and discuss major trends in recent ecology and natural resource management literature. Finally, we propose that continued and collaborative development of this general framework can serve as a pragmatic tool for individuals from Indigenous, Local, and Science knowledge systems who wish to engage in reciprocal and meaningful dialogue with members of other knowledge systems, especially regarding the highly uncertain global future of ecology and natural resource management.