Biocultural Ecology: Exploring the Social Construction of the Southern Appalachain Ecosystem

Abstract

The idea of a Southern Appalachian Ecosystem is now so much a part of our everyday language that many of the people who talk, write, and make decisions about thc place are unaware of the long and complicated history behind the idea. One primary purpose of this case study was to demonstrate how the Southern Appalachian Ecosystem has been socially constructed and reified as a scientific fact in contemporary environmental discourse. In addition, we dicuss the implications of this particular sense of place for biodiverity, land use, and community development. Ultimately, our goal is to help establish a common ground between the infinite number of competing visions that are possible and plausible for this one unique place. We do so primarily by advocating a more biocultural worldview - a view of the world that seeks to transcend the dichotomous categories nature and culture perpetuated by modern, western thought. Our intention is to contribute to the creation of not merely a sustainable but a truly desirable postmodern future of human ecosystems rich in biocultural diverstty.

Citation

Robertson, David P.; Hull, R. Bruce. 2003. Biocultural Ecology: Exploring the Social Construction of the Southern Appalachain Ecosystem. Natural Areas Journal 23(2):180-189