Using Indigenous mental models to conceptualise and report on ecosystems services and benefits

We explore relations between Indigenous and the Western conceptualisation of flows of services from nature to people, and specifically, flow of ecosystem services as per SEEA-EA accounting framework developed and promoted by the United Nations. This case study was a partnership with the Nywaigi Traditional Owners from North Queensland Australia and was conducted as a series of workshops with the Nywaigi representatives. We present Nywaigi conceptualisation of the ecosystem services (and disservices) linked to Mungalla Station on their Country. Starting from the Western point of view, we introduce ‘crosswalk’ from SEEA-EA ecosystem services to Nywaigi conceptualisation; and starting from Nywaigi perspective, ‘mental map’ that links Nywaigi wellbeing to SEEA-EA framework. Our findings indicate that some of the concepts are very similar between First Nation and SEEA-EA, and confirm importance to Nywaigi Traditional Owners of circular and interconnected conceptualisation of the nature-people system and of longer conceptualisation of time. Suggestions on further modifications to conceptualisations of nature-people-nature system are presented, and the temporal scale of expected changes is discussed. Specifically, we discuss concepts of flows of services from nature to nature; category of disservices – explicit recognition that ecosystem flows can be beneficial but also detrimental for human wellbeing, both physical and mental/spiritual; and important role of outside influences (capitals other than natural capital) in determining the actual use of what ecosystem services might be supplying. Our findings present empirical evidence of alternative conceptualisations that emphasise continually unfolding processes and relations.

Ecosystems and People

Ecosystems and People

22

2639-5916

N/A

1

17