Fernandez‐Gimenez, Maria

Knapp, Corrine Noel

English

University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky UKnowledge International Grassland Congress Proceedings XXI International Grassland Congress / VIII International Rangeland Congress Knowledge in Practice: Exploring Rancher's Ecological Knowledge in NW Colorado Corrine Noel Knapp Colorado State University Maria Fernandez‐Gimenez Colorado State University Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc  Part of the Plant Sciences Commons, and the Soil Science Commons This document is available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/21/17-1/9 The XXI International Grassland Congress / VIII International Rangeland Congress took place in Hohhot, China from June 29 through July 5, 2008. Proceedings edited by Organizing Committee of 2008 IGC/IRC Conference Published by Guangdong People's Publishing House This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Plant and Soil Sciences at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Grassland Congress Proceedings by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact UKnowledge@lsv.uky.edu. 　 Multifunctional Grasslands in a Changing World 　 Volume Ⅱ 　 瞯 ]863　 瞯Grasslands/Rangelands People and Policies——— People in Grasslands/RangelandsKnowledge in practice : exploring rancher摧s ecological knowledge in NW ColoradoCorrine Noel K nap p and Maria Fernandez‐GimenezDepartment o f Forestry , Rangeland and W atershed Stew ardship , Colorado State University , 1472 Campus Delivery . FortCollins , CO 80523 , United States o f America , E‐mail : corrieknap p＠ yahoo .comKey words : local knowledge , rangelands , Western United States , sagebrush steppe , ranchersIntroduction Rangelands comprise nearly ８０％ of the western United States , yet little is known about local knowledge of thesesystems or how this knowledge might contribute to understanding and improved management of Western rangelands . Localknowledge is knowledge�integrally linked with the lives of people , always produced in dynamic interactions among humans andbetween humans and nature , and constantly changing" ( Agrawal , １９９５ ) . Despite the interest in and research on pastoralistknowledge in indigenous communities and developing countries , there are few studies of rancher knowledge in more developedcountries ( Belgrave et al . , １９９０ ; Garden et al . , ２０００ ; Strang , ２００４ ) . This study focuses on rancher knowledge in a singlewatershed and its surroundings in northwest Colorado , USA . Our primary objectives in this exploratory , place‐based studywere to １) learn how ranchers in this location acquire ecological knowledge , ２ ) document and analyze the substance and breadthof that knowledge , and ３) analyze the distribution and variation of knowledge among ranchers within a specific watershed .Materials and methods We completed ２６ semi‐structured interviews and １１ field interviews with ranchers . All interviews wereaudio recorded , transcribed and coded using NVIVO qualitative data analysis software . For a quantitative assessment ofknowledge claims we tallied both the number of quotes regarding different subjects and the number of ranchers who addressedeach subject . In addition , we used qualitative coding to understand the nature and quality of rancher knowledge and theconsensus between ranchers .Results and discussion Ranchers identified experience as the primary way they gained their knowledge , although they alsodiscussed the importance of social interactions and formal education . Interviews with ranchers revealed three primary categoriesof rancher knowledge : active knowledge gained through management of natural systems for productivity , diffuse knowledgegained through living in a particular place , and knowledge of the connections between human and natural systems . Strengths oflocal knowledge included the wide range of knowledge , insight into interconnections between human , and natural systems , andknowledge of management actions . Weaknesses included the variation in and disagreement about knowledge within the ranchingcommunity , the predominately management focus , and the reluctance to change management practices . We found thatcommunity referrals were the best way to locate the most knowledgeable ranchers . We also found that not all ranchers wereequally able to put their knowledge into practice : larger ranchers had more flexibility in management , whereas smaller rancherswere more restricted in their management choices .Conclusions Local knowledge in the western USA has often been dismissed or overlooked in scientific range management , landuse planning , and research . This study illustrates the potential for local knowledge to inform extension and technical assistanceefforts , provide insight into sustainable land management , and offer rancher perceptions of ecological processes to be tested byresearchers . Although ranchers may be a valuable source of knowledge about rangelands , their knowledge must be used withcaution due to its heterogeneity , and its focus on productivity and management . Using community referrals offers a potentiallyeffective way to find the most knowledgeable community members . Interviews suggested that rancher knowledge is embedded intheir experiences and it is often difficult for ranchers to communicate their knowledge . Ranchers also may feel hesitant to speakabout things they know but cannot apply on their landscapes . Research is needed to understand the best way to elicit rancherknowledge and weigh quality of knowledge claims in order that western landscapes can benefit from a more completeunderstanding of natural systems and management motivations .ReferencesAGRAWAL , A . １９９５ . Indigenous and scientific knowledge . Indigenous K now ledge and Development Monitor ３‐５ .BELGRAVE , B . R . , P . C . WATT , AND J . L . BROCK . １９９０ . A survey of farmer knowledge and use of pasture cultivarsin new zealand . New Zealand Journal o f A gricultural Research ３３ :１９９‐２１１ .GARDEN , D . L . , P . M . DOWLING , D . A . EDDY , AND H . I . NICOL . ２０００ . A survey of farms on the central , southernand monaro tablelands of new south wales : Management practices , farmer knowledge of native grasses , and extent of nativegrass areas . A ustralian Journal o f Ex perimental A griculture ４０ :１０８１‐１０８８ .STRANG , V . ２００４ . Close encounters of the third world kind : Indigeous knowledge and relations to land . Development andLocal K now ledge ９３‐１１７ .

Knowledge in Practice: Exploring Rancher\u27s Ecological Knowledge in NW Colorado

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3745&amp;context=igc

Knowledge in Practice: Exploring Rancher\u27s Ecological Knowledge in NW Colorado

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