Historical Ecology & Ethnoecology, Part II

Home to an estimated 8000 native plant species, of which approximately half are endemic, south western Australia is recognized as one of 35 global biological hotspots.  This complex and uniquely evolved flora is focused on highly weathered, nutrient poor soils within ancient landscapes that appear unusually resilient to fragmentation but highly vulnerable to disturbances. At least eleven other hotspots include ancient landscapes.

Noongar habitation of south western Australia dates to at least 48,000 years before present, representing one of the world’s longest examples of sustained human ecological influence.  Through collaborative, on-country research and review of historical records, we have examined contemporary and historic ethnographic, as well as archaeological evidence of Noongar cultural practice in the context of varying landscape age. Here we outline some key Noongar conservation strategies such as diverse biological resource use, habitat modification, seasonal calendars, place and resource restrictions, rights and responsibilities, and biodiversity teaching through storytelling.