Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Sukhbaatar, Tuul
Language:English
Published: Antioch University / OhioLINK 2020
Subjects:
TEK
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1603982171867841
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-antioch16039821718678412021-11-05T05:17:32Z Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia Sukhbaatar, Tuul Environmental Studies traditional ecological knowledge TEK pastoralists herders wolf hunters stakeholder groups wolf management adaptive wolf management Khangai region forest steppe zone Mongolia Conflicts between humans and wolves occur anywhere these two inhabit the same area. This research explored traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of Mongolians and potential opportunities that this knowledge could offer to improve relationships between humans and wolves (Canis lupus) in Mongolia. Research questions include: what is the local understanding of TEK as it applies to wolves; what are the perceptions of different stakeholder groups on the wolves; and what opportunities are there to draw upon TEK to reduce human-wolf conflicts? This research, using the case study and mixed methods, involved 128 individuals who represented four stakeholder groups (herders, urban residents, hunters, and environmental officials). Four sites were chosen for this research, Ulaanbaatar and three provinces that are within the forest-steppe or Khangai region. Findings suggest that Mongolians generally viewed wolves from neutral to positive. Respect towards wolves was high in all four groups. The respect arose from various reasons, including the wolf’s role in the ecosystems, the wolf’s “intelligence and bravery”, the spirituality of Mongolian people, and the history of Mongolia. Results included findings that most herders live in a type of balance, both harmony and rivalry, with wolves. I also found that there was a broad acceptance among herders that wolves can actually help them become more responsible and accountable in their practices. All stakeholder groups consider the wolf as an ecologically and culturally iconic species and is perceived as a keystone species in keeping the ecological balance. Recommendations from across all stakeholder groups support new comprehensive laws and regulations for managing the wolf population in an ecologically balanced manner. 2020-10-29 English text Antioch University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1603982171867841 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1603982171867841 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Environmental Studies
traditional ecological knowledge
TEK
pastoralists
herders
wolf hunters
stakeholder groups
wolf management
adaptive wolf management
Khangai region
forest steppe zone
Mongolia
spellingShingle Environmental Studies
traditional ecological knowledge
TEK
pastoralists
herders
wolf hunters
stakeholder groups
wolf management
adaptive wolf management
Khangai region
forest steppe zone
Mongolia
Sukhbaatar, Tuul
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia
author Sukhbaatar, Tuul
author_facet Sukhbaatar, Tuul
author_sort Sukhbaatar, Tuul
title Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia
title_short Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia
title_full Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia
title_fullStr Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia
title_full_unstemmed Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Opportunities for Reducing Human-Wolf Conflicts in Mongolia
title_sort traditional ecological knowledge and opportunities for reducing human-wolf conflicts in mongolia
publisher Antioch University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2020
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1603982171867841
work_keys_str_mv AT sukhbaatartuul traditionalecologicalknowledgeandopportunitiesforreducinghumanwolfconflictsinmongolia
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