Biocultural conservation systems in the Mediterranean region: the role of values, rules, and knowledge

Biocultural conservation systems in the Mediterranean region, such as agdal (Morocco), communal forests (Spain), sacred natural sites (Greece), and hima (Lebanon), play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity by integrating values, rules, and local knowledge. These systems are shaped by instrumental, intrinsic, and relational values, often adapting to Mediterranean climatic uncertainty while ensuring equitable resource use through informal rules, including taboos. Local knowledge drives these systems, which support linkages between nature and human well-being. The study highlights the need for fostering biocultural conservation by navigating interlinkages between values, rules, and knowledge in decision-making processes.

Plieninger, T., Abunnasr, Y., D’Ambrosio, U., Guo, T., Kizos, T., Kmoch, L., Topp, E., & Varela, E. (2022). Biocultural conservation systems in the Mediterranean region: the role of values, rules, and knowledge. Sustainability Science, 18(2), 823–838. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01155-6