The relations between biological and cultural diversity constitute a field of increasing theoretical and practical interest for ecologists and conservation biologists. To combine the biological and cultural domains, in January 2000, the Long-Term Ornithological Research (LTOR) Program was created at the Omora Ethnobotanical Park (55oS) in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile. Omora Park LTOR program has included: (1) an uninterrupted mist-netting and banding of forest birds for over 15 years, becoming the longest mist-netting program of sub-Antarctic forest birds in the Southern Hemisphere; (2) comparative research on Yahgan, Mapuche and scientific ornithological knowledge. Hence, Omora Park LTOR has integrated research on the biophysical dimension, or “biosphere,” and the sphere of symbols and language, or “logosphere.” Based on texts and audio-visual materials collected in our Multi-Ethnic Bird Guide of the sub-Antarctic forests of South America (2010), including recordings of bird calls, indigenous names and stories, in this we work we analyzed the ethical implications of these bird stories, from the perspective of biological conservation and environmental philosophy. To allow comparisons between indigenous and scientific ecological knowledge, we focused on two well-known metaphors: the tree of life and the web of life.
Results/Conclusions
Analyses of the tree of life metaphor demonstrate that both modern sciences and the indigenous Yahgan and Mapuche cosmogonies affirm a common genealogical origin for birds and humans. This notion of a common origin supports the intrinsic value of the avifauna, because birds are regarded as humans’ evolutionary relatives. This implies that, to a certain degree, the life of birds should be subject to moral considerations based on ontological and ethical judgments commensurable with those involved in assessing the value of human life. Analyses of the web of life metaphor also reveal essential correspondences between scientific and indigenous ecological knowledge: both highlight the relevance of interactions among birds, humans, and the whole community of co-inhabitants. This understanding supports the instrumental value of the avifauna, because birds can be regarded as an indispensable “instrument” for human well-being. Ancestral Amerindian ornithological knowledge and contemporary ecological sciences provide support for both the instrumental value and the intrinsic value of biodiversity. At the beginning of the 21st century, LTOR conducted in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve at the southern end of the Americas provides valuable insights to reorient global society toward more sustainable lifestyles, which respect both biological and cultural diversity.