Project description
Saving nature by honouring culture
Conservation efforts often overlook the deep-rooted relationships Indigenous Peoples and local communities have with their environments. This gap can lead to misguided policies and biodiversity loss. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the KEYSTONES project aims to change that by exploring cultural keystone species. These species hold exceptional cultural significance – to shape more inclusive, effective conservation strategies. Overall, KEYSTONES works with communities in Canada and Ecuador to blend scientific and traditional knowledge. Through research, training, and communication, the project is pioneering a biocultural approach that honours local values and ecosystems alike. It is a vital step toward more ethical, culturally grounded responses to the biodiversity crisis.
Objective
KEYSTONES aims to explore the concept of “cultural keystone species” -species of exceptional cultural significance to a specific sociocultural group- as a global biocultural tool to inform biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity conservation initiatives often neglect Indigenous Peoples and local communities' environmental stewardship, and thus to undesirable ecosystem shifts and biodiversity loss. To limit the biodiversity crisis, novel approaches propose expanding conservation initiatives beyond mere biological diversity, implementing actions that consider local values, culture, knowledge, and beliefs. The concept of “cultural keystone species” has the potential to inform and shape local biocultural conservation initiatives, although its use in conservation is still limited. Therefore, KEYSTONES will explore the operationalization of this concept through an interdisciplinary and intersectoral project articulated in four work packages (research, training, communication and management), that will consolidate my leadership in ethnobiology for conservation. The work package “research” is twofold with the “knowledge” part exploring key aspects of the “cultural keystone species” that can inform biodiversity conservation and the “action” part translating the produced knowledge into practices to be applied in conservation initiatives. KEYSTONES is based at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona under the supervision of the leading scientist Prof. Reyes-Garcia and will be conducted in collaboration with Miawpukek Mi'kmaq First Nation (Canada) and Huancavilcas and Montubios People (Ecuador). This global fellowship with the outgoing phase at the University of Guelph (Canada) and a secondment at the Pontificia Universidad Catòlica de Ecuador, will allow me to grow as an independent researcher thanks to interdisciplinary training placing me at the forefront of the research on biocultural approaches to address pressing global challenges such as biodiversity loss.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.