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Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research

Evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome in ethnobotanical research

Authors: Natalia Hanazaki, Dannieli Firme Herbst, Mel Simionato Marques, Ina Vandebroek

Published in: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

The shifting baseline syndrome is a concept from ecology that can be analyzed in the context of ethnobotanical research. Evidence of shifting baseline syndrome can be found in studies dealing with intracultural variation of knowledge, when knowledge from different generations is compared and combined with information about changes in the environment and/or natural resources.

Methods

We reviewed 84 studies published between 1993 and 2012 that made comparisons of ethnobotanical knowledge according to different age classes. After analyzing these studies for evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome (lower knowledge levels in younger generations and mention of declining abundance of local natural resources), we searched within these studies for the use of the expressions “cultural erosion”, “loss of knowledge”, or “acculturation”.

Results

The studies focused on different groups of plants (e.g. medicinal plants, foods, plants used for general purposes, or the uses of specific important species). More than half of all 84 studies (57%) mentioned a concern towards cultural erosion or knowledge loss; 54% of the studies showed evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome; and 37% of the studies did not provide any evidence of shifting baselines (intergenerational knowledge differences but no information available about the abundance of natural resources).

Discussion and conclusions

The general perception of knowledge loss among young people when comparing ethnobotanical repertoires among different age groups should be analyzed with caution. Changes in the landscape or in the abundance of plant resources may be associated with changes in ethnobotanical repertoires held by people of different age groups. Also, the relationship between the availability of resources and current plant use practices rely on a complexity of factors. Fluctuations in these variables can cause changes in the reference (baseline) of different generations and consequently be responsible for differences in intergenerational knowledge. Unraveling the complexity of changes in local knowledge systems in relation to environmental changes will allow the identification of more meaningful information for resource conservation.

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Title: Evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome in ethnobotanical research
Authors: Natalia Hanazaki
Dannieli Firme Herbst
Mel Simionato Marques
Ina Vandebroek
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1746-4269
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-9-75

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome in ethnobotanical research

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion and conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion and conclusions

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