Robertson Hugh A, McGee Tara K
School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Vic. 3125, Australia.
J Environ Manage. 2003 Nov;69(3):275-87. doi: 10.1016/s0301-4797(03)00155-5.
Local knowledge of the history and ecology of wetland ecosystems can be a valuable resource in wetland rehabilitation projects. This is especially the case when other historical ecological information is unavailable. As well as providing a source of historical information, time spent acquiring local knowledge can enhance public participation in environmental management and facilitate early conflict resolution between stakeholders and the community. This paper investigates the use of oral history as a tool to collate a history of the flooding, ecology and management of Kanyapella Basin, a 2581 ha wetland on the floodplain of the Murray and Goulburn Rivers, Australia. Interviews were held with nine local residents and 11 natural resource managers. Oral history proved an effective way to obtain information about changes in the frequency and distribution of flood events over the last 60 years. Observations of rare and threatened fauna, and comments regarding the success of past management were also recorded. Results from the oral history have been used to direct ecological research and develop alternative management options at Kanyapella Basin. In addition to its use in gathering ecological information, oral history also proved effective in enabling the values and concerns of local community and stakeholders to be articulated, increasing managers' understanding of the social context of the particular locality, which is fundamental to sound environmental decision-making.
关于湿地生态系统的历史和生态的本地知识在湿地恢复项目中可能是一种宝贵资源。当无法获取其他历史生态信息时，情况尤其如此。除了提供历史信息来源外，花时间获取本地知识还可以增强公众对环境管理的参与，并促进利益相关者与社区之间早期冲突的解决。本文研究了如何利用口述历史作为一种工具，来梳理澳大利亚墨累河和古尔本河泛滥平原上一片面积为2581公顷的卡尼亚佩拉盆地的洪水、生态和管理历史。与9位当地居民和11位自然资源管理者进行了访谈。口述历史被证明是获取过去60年洪水事件频率和分布变化信息的有效方式。还记录了对珍稀濒危动物的观察情况以及对过去管理成效的评论。口述历史的结果已被用于指导卡尼亚佩拉盆地的生态研究并制定其他管理方案。除了用于收集生态信息外，口述历史还被证明能有效地表达当地社区和利益相关者的价值观与关切，增进管理者对特定地区社会背景的理解，而这对于做出合理的环境决策至关重要。
