Observation and experience linking science and indigenous knowledge at Zuni, New Mexico

• Published in: Journal of Arid Environments Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 331 - 340
• Main Authors: Norton, Jay B., Pawluk, Roman R., Sandor, Jonathan A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: agroecology; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; ethnopedology; ethnoscience; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; indigenous knowledge; participatory development; Pollution, environment geology; soil conservation; Soil erosion, conservation, land management and development; Soil science; United States; New Mexico; North America; America; ethnoscience; participatory development; soil conservation; indigenous knowledge; agroecology; ethnopedology; Desertification; Community participation; Ethnology; Autochtonous; Agroecosystem; Soil conservation; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0140-1963; 1095-922X
• DOI: 10.1006/jare.1998.0397

Ancient agricultural societies farming the same soils for centuries offer alternative knowledge for combating desertification. The resulting agriculture is sustainable as well as culturally and environmentally appropriate. This paper describes an approach to enabling one such system at the Zuni Indian Reservation, New Mexico. The approach links agroecology and ethnoscience research to grassroots community action. Agroecology research has revealed enhanced soil quality in traditional runoff agricultural fields, while ethnoscience shows a subtle understanding of local soils and geomorphology. The research supports community action by recognizing and valuing a local agricultural system so that solutions to land degradation can build on indigenous knowledge.