Study On Traditional Knowledge Relating To Biological Diversity Of Dongxiang People

China is a country rich in biodiversity.Because of its long history and numerous ethnic groups,China has created rich and colorful traditional knowledge in the long-history of using and producing biological resources.The traditional knowledge has played important roles in biodiversity conservation,sustainable use of natural resources and the development of ecological civilization.However,with the development of modern technology,many traditional knowledge faces the threat of disappearance and loss.It is a hot spot in the international community to protect traditional knowledge and share the benefits from the use of traditional knowledge.The Dongxiang people mainly lives at the junction of the Loess Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for generations.It's a ethnic minority with a small population in China,The Dongxiang Autonomous County of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province is the main gathering area of Dongxiang nationality,where Dongxiang people accounts for 87.04%of the county population.In the long-term production practice,Dongxiang people have created agricultural economy and unique culture that is compatible with their natural resources and special environmental conditions.In the process of protecting and utilizing biological resources,they have created rich traditional knowledge relating6 to biodiversity.The generation and development of these traditional knowledge reflects the ecological,social,economic and cultural characteristics of the Dongxiang people.Studying the traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity of Dongxiang people is of great significance for biodiversity conservation,inheriting national traditional culture,and local social and economic development.In this study,traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity of Dongxiang people was investigated cataloged by literature investigation and key information interview.Through the comparative study on the plant diversity of Dongxiang and local Han nationality gardens,the relationship between the traditional knowledge of Dongxiang nationality and the diversity of garden plants is revealed,The current situation,development trend and threat factors of traditional knowledge of Dongxiang people were discussed,then put forward the suggestions for the conservation of biodiversity and traditional knowledge in the Dongxiang area.The main results of this study:1.This study investigated and cataloged 299 traditional knowledge,including 127 knowledge relating to traditional agricultural genetic resources(42.47%);100 knowledge relating to traditional medicine(33.44%);42 traditional technologies and methodologies for sustainable use of biological resources(14.05%);21 knowledge about traditional culture relating to biodiversity(7.69%);7 traditional biogeographical indication products(2.34%).2.On the basis of terms,the characteristics of traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity of Dongxiang people are summarized:they were the result of rational use of local resources and adapting to local climatic conditions and natural resource;From social and productive practices and based on traditional lifestyles;Reflecting economic value,agriculture and animal husbandry are widely used;It is closely related to religious beliefs and reflects the cultural characteristics of the nation.3.Study on garden plant diversity of Dongxiang people:45 households were randomly selected from two traditional villages in Dongxiang and one local Han village.The results show that all the three village gardens have high species richness,involving many families;the community similarity index of the two Dongxiang villages is higher than their community similarity index with the Han village;In terms of plant function,the Dongxiang national garden is mainly eaten and ornamental,and the Han nationality garden is mainly ornamental plants.In terms of plant diversity,the Dongxiang nationality village has higher plant diversity than the Han village.The study also found that the diversity of garden plants and the formation and development of traditional knowledge have a synergistic relationship.Plant diversity in gardens promotes the formation of traditional knowledge,and traditional knowledge has a protective effect on the diversity of garden plants.4.The traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of Dongxiang people is declining,especially agricultural genetic resources and traditional medicine.More than 50%of traditional knowledge has been or is disappearing.The threats to the inheritance of traditional knowledge of Dongxiang people include rapid economic development,multicultural integration,lack of protection measures,and low enthusiasm for protection.This study puts forward suggestions for the protection and sustainable use of traditional knowledge in establishing and perfecting laws,raising awareness of economic values,protecting national culture,and strengthening scientific research.