Abstract
The disappearance of a species often signifies more than ecological loss; it marks the erosion of cultural memory and identity. Across diverse regions, many indigenous fl ora and fauna function as cultural symbols embedded in rituals, cosmologies, and the transmission of traditional knowledge. This study investigates the cultural implications of biodiversity loss, identifying 27 endangered or extinct species regarded as cultural icons across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. It assesses how their decline disrupts indigenous practices and weakens the intergenerational transfer of ecological wisdom. Anchored in the Cultural Ecology framework, which examines the interplay between environmental adaptation and cultural transformation and is informed by the works of cultural theorists such as Stuart Hall and Richard Johnson, this study employs a structured review method utilizing Boolean Operators. Findings reveal a symbiotic relationship between communities and their environments, with extinction events posing direct threats to cultural sustainability. While Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) offers a promising avenue for integrated conservation, the study identifies modernization and cultural assimilation as key challenges to its preservation, calling for interdisciplinary strategies that safeguard ecological and cultural heritage.
Presenters
Essien Oku EssienPhD Candidate/Lecturer, Communication, Culture and Media Studies, Drexel University, Pennsylvania, United States Awni Kalkat
RA & TA, Communication, Culture, and Media, Drexel University, Pennsylvania, United States Sonika Lamichhane
Student, PhD Student, Drexel University, Pennsylvania, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
CONSERVATION, CULTURAL ECOLOGY, CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY, ENDANGERMENT, EXTINCTION, FLORA, FAUNA
