@article{02c41c9ed82a4c7ba35601caf51edfb4,
title = "Utilizing Amerindian hunters' descriptions to guide the production of a vegetation map",
abstract = "Describing vegetation types is critical for managing natural resources and assessing ecosystem risk. Vegetation maps are historically produced by {"}Western experts,{"} often ignoring local-level groups critical to resource management. Indigenous hunters, as resource managers, have strong connections to their landscapes and their descriptions of vegetation within their homelands can be useful in the map-making process. This project examined the usefulness of vegetation descriptions from Rupununi, Southern Guyana Indigenous hunters in the map-making process and how their descriptions were influenced by biophysical environmental attributes. A Landsat TM and ASTER DEM merged imagery of the Rupununi was classified using Indigenous hunters' vegetation descriptions to train the classification and assess accuracy. Based on the hunters' vegetation descriptions an eleven-class map was produced that covered the main vegetation types they described. Whereas {"}expert{"} maps rely on organized forest inventory data, Indigenous hunters' vegetation classifications were influenced by their interactions with the biophysical environment. The final map shows that Indigenous hunters may be important partners in the map-making process and play key roles in tropical forest management decision-making processes.",
keywords = "Amerindians, Guyana, Indigenous Hunters, Process Cartography, Rupununi, Vegetation Map",
author = "Cummings, {Anthony R.} and Read, {Jane M.} and Fragoso, {Jose M.V.}",
note = "Funding Information: This paper represents hours of dedicated work and service from the hunters at the various study sites. We acknowledge and thank: Adrian Thompson, Archie Johnson, Dennis Miguel, Oswald Bellaramie, Eustace Martin, Alvin Winter, Derrick Winter, Campbell James, Benedict Joseph, Thaddeus Joseph, Ozias James, Orville Milton, Keary Duncan, John Duncan, John Loyola, Handley Thomas, Ram Henry, Alphaeus Thomas, Brucelee Henry, Selverio Edwards, Persaud Moses, Gilbert Domingo, Urbie Francis, Fonso Francis, Jessie Domingo, Hilarion Ernest, Richardson Isaacs, Rodney Charlie, Eugene Charlie, Randolph Brown, Davis Brown, Cameron Anton, John Benjamin, Clive Ewell, Kevin Edwards, Terrence Benjami, Cyril Jonas, Hitler Benedict, Joe Fredericks, Andrew Mandook, Mr. Martin, Bernard Manaka, Mirichi Manaka, Aaron Martin, Billy Martin, Eli Martin, James Pablo, Alphonso Francis, Nedward Francis, Marcellus, Leslie, Felix, Nicholas Mandook, Allan Patrick, Ewell Paul, Gomar Honorio, Wycliffe Alvin, Anthony Alvin, Stanley LaCruz, Raymond Antone, Cornelius Francis, Adrian Johnson, Gregory Thomas, Franklin Lally, Kib Mark Rufino, Vibert George, Edgar Caitan, Johnny, Michael Jacobs, William Pereira, Philip Lally, Reginald Pedro, Rickford Law, Aaron Pereira, Carl St. Hill, Carlson St. Hill, Cornelius St. Hill, Donald Andries, Jackson Joel, Alexis Nagarine, Danford Moses, Marcus Moses, Martin St. Hill, Desmond St. Hill, Basil Douglas. We are grateful to the people of the Rupununi, in particular the leadership of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), Bina Hill Institute and the South Central Peoples Development Association (SCPDA). At Project Fauna the late Dr. Kye Phipps was instrumental in clarifying vegetation descriptions while the other members of the team, including Dr. Han Overman, Dr. Jeff Luzar and Ms. Ketlen Williams, supported data collection and editing. The Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs granted permission for this research. The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission kindly provided base maps and maps of Amerindian communities. Funding for this project was made possible by the US National Science Foundation BE/CNH Grant 0837531. ",
year = "2015",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "10.4018/ijagr.2015010107",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "6",
pages = "118--142",
journal = "International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research",
issn = "1947-9654",
publisher = "IGI Global Publishing",
number = "1",
}