Work

Human Niche Construction: Noongar Evidence in Pre-colonial Southwestern Australia

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Through a lens of Human Niche Construction theory, we examine Noongar (an indigenous people of south Western Australia) relationships with southWestern Australian flora and suggest influences of these relationships on contemporary botanical patterns in this global biodiversity hotspot. By conducting a review of historical and contemporary literature and drawing upon the contemporary knowledge of Noongar Elders, we examine the merits of five key hypotheses of human niche construction theory in relation to this large cultural group. We find compelling evidence that supports Noongar niche construction, but caution that further research is required to test its likely ecological and evolutionary outcomes. We suggest that further collaborative, multi-disciplinary research that applies Noongar and Western science will lead to a greater understanding of the biological assets of southWestern Australia.

Source: Conservation and Society

DOI: 10.4103/cs.cs_16_75

Authors: Alison Lullfitz, Joe Dortch, StephenD Hopper, Carol Pettersen, Ron(Doc) Reynolds, David Guilfoyle

Institution: The University of Western Australia

Language: English

Topic: Australian Indigenous Culture and History

Subfield: Anthropology

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $600