Publications (3)9.31 Total impact
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Article: Cultural erosion and biodiversity: canoe-making knowledge in Pohnpei, Micronesia.
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ABSTRACT: Erosion of traditional knowledge and practice is a serious and accelerating problem, but quantitative work on traditional knowledge loss and its importance to biodiversity conservation is lacking. We investigated traditional knowledge of canoe making, a skill heavily dependent on plant biodiversity, on Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, through a survey of 180 island residents. Our results showed that there has been an intergenerational erosion of canoe-making skills. Given current trends, the present generation of Pohnpeians may be the last to retain any knowledge of this traditional craft. We also identified several correlates of knowledge loss-including Western educational level and occupation-that highlight potential avenues for skill conservation via governments, traditional leadership, and schools. These institutions could intervene to emphasize traditional knowledge, which would reinforce institutional contexts in which traditional knowledge and practice is valued. The heightened awareness of the value of biodiversity that is linked to traditional knowledge is key to biological conservation on Pohnpei and can help support local conservation programs.Conservation Biology 07/2007; 21(3):875-9. · 4.69 Impact Factor -
Article: A traditional method of Cinnamomum carolinense preparation eliminates safrole from a therapeutic Pohnpean tea.
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ABSTRACT: Cinnamomum carolinense, locally known as madeu, is a tree endemic to the volcanic mountains of the Island of Pohnpei in the Eastern Carolines of the South Pacific. The bark is harvested from trees and brewed to make a medicinal tea and hot beverage that is regularly consumed. Many species of Cinnamomum contain the known hepatocarcinogen safrole, sparking concern regarding habitual consumption of this beverage. HPLC-PDA analysis confirmed the presence of the carcinogen in alcoholic extracts of Cinnamomum carolinense bark shavings (0.435%, w/w), but safrole was not detected in the tea. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation of safrole were determined to be 1.25 and 3.75 microg/mL, respectively. The traditional preparation method, which boils the bark shavings, degrades the safrole.Journal of Ethnopharmacology 12/2005; 102(2):269-74. · 3.01 Impact Factor -
Article: Cultural dynamism and change—An example from the Federated states of Micronesia
Economic Botany 12/2000; 55(1):9-13. · 1.60 Impact Factor
