Filling global gaps in monitoring data with local knowledge

Conservation places much value on biological monitoring data, i.e. data collected using standardized protocols over time or space the abundance, biomass rates of use taxa resources. Biological are building blocks myriad assessment methods and establishment reference points (Margules & Pressey, 2000). Although it is acknowledged that a lack should not deter conservation action (Robinson, 2006), field seems preoccupied with collecting analysing increasing amounts (Runting et al., 2020). This focus stems from global imbalance resources: most scientific developments occur where abundant, so availability taken as given. degree dependence rarely questioned, however. Assuming always exist like viewing world islands in sea: few havens land containing all needed. view limited because surrounding those seas ‘datalessness’ hosting greatest environmental challenges. Only about one-third world's nations (i.e. developed economies) have reasonable key highly heterogeneous, remaining two-thirds – majority mostly developing economies human financial capacity to collect produce data. As Johannes (1998) put it, vast expanses nations, ‘we do resources process management for great [biological] communities nor will we foreseeable future’. The main problem per se, but rather missing Most tropics sub-tropics, governance tends be weak pressures rapidly growing result globalization larger more affluent tropical populations (Barlow 2018). heterogeneity threats well known, at least since publication Brundtland report 1987 (Brundtland Khalid, 1987), two years after Soulé (1985) introduced biology world. has evolved substantially then, still needs contribute society by facing challenge 2006; Barlow Making globally effective requires new ways rethinking our current them. applies ecosystem types especially freshwater ecosystems, which threatened poorly protected (Harper 2021). editorial highlights an alternative approach confront dearth shows its relevance case study Amazon Basin. Assessments usually rely comparisons idealized islands, often concluding endless list requirements. need strengthen capacity, could inclusive capitalizing upon regional differences recognizing priorities opportunities determined contexts. Capacity conservation, going any soon. Important produced simple cost-effective methods, external support, direct involvement stakeholders, they can quickly inform decisions (Danielsen 2003). How happen without data? There answers this question. first does require ‘Dataless management’ been done long worldwide many resource-dependent (Johannes, 1998), Pacific Amazonian rivers. Many such local knowledge their people derive implement general rules, including closed areas, seasons, size restrictions restricted entry 2002; Castro McGrath, 2003; Aswani Hamilton, 2004; Cinner Aswani, 2007). These rules pillars modern conservation. In changing world, approaches these, space, applications advantages. Like conventional approaches, used assess effectiveness regimes, set benchmarks, spatial temporal trends data-poor would benefit additional information, bushmeat species (Nasi, Taber Van Vliet, 2011), sharks, rays chimaeras (46% Data Deficient; Dulvy 2014), fisheries, artisanal (Pauly Zeller, 2016). Using cost-effective. Relative Anadón al. (2009) estimated sightings tortoises were 100 times cheaper, Castello (2004) counts endangered air-breathing fish, Arapaima gigas, 200 cheaper faster. (2023) reconstructed series fish catch up 60 past three fisheries Congo Basin 329 fisher interviews five during 1 month fieldwork; research cost tiny fraction landings. based knowledge, memories events (e.g. sightings, encounters harvests), also historical information no prior exist. major advantage other existing document population declines (Bonebrake 2010), except evidence (McClenachan, Ferretti Baum, 2012; Pauly 2016), having high potential fill gaps suitability illustrated fishers’ arapaima help recover biodiversity, simply decelerate rate decline ‘bending curve’ action; Tickner (A. agasizzii, mapae, leptosoma arapaima; Stewart, 2013) symbol fishes Amazon. They grow 3 m length kg weight (Arantes 2010) obligate air-breathers, surfacing gulp air every minutes (Figure 1a; Stokes dominated 1900s (Veríssimo, 1895), widely overfished, point extinctions recent (Castello 2015; Watson Management agencies enforce season harvest monitor fishery through collection statistics (Duponchelle Lack was 77% non-compliant (Cavole, Arantes Castello, 2015), leading some Brazil state bans 2010). fishers had known skills 1b). Standing small wooden canoes, harpoon split-second moment aerial breathing 1895). Research thus assessed whether arapaima. It found expert differentiate subtle cues among arapaima, proposed protocol count (Castello, 2004). equally accurate abundance estimates mark–recapture Arantes, Garcez, allow own systems, independently ineffective hundreds kilometres away 2009). discovery prompted non-governmental organization (NGO) (the Mamirauá Institute) try system four fishing (Viana system, counted lakes each year conservative quotas following year, conjunction NGO agency (IBAMA). banned State Amazonas, issue special permit, provided committed abide pre-existing harvest. managed population, 1998 comprised only 2,500 individuals, grew several-fold Stewart 2011) stabilized around 20,000 2). When started recover, several neighbouring requesting Institute NGOs same system. Today, Amazonas enrolled IBAMA manage counts. Where studies done, basis healthy (Arantes, Garcez Campos-Silva Peres, 2016; Petersen held stakeholders works harvesting conservative. However, dynamics showed increased little harm populations, lag between buffers against effects, allowing juveniles recruit adult stock 2011). mainly compliance confer resiliency exploited (Froese Prince Hordyk, 2019). Why did comply when involved before? Whereas rule depends various factors, institutional analysis suggested tend trust understand data: ‘fishers might question … derived computer calculations showing trends’ lead than just engage address real, yet readily available. notion emerging, studied known. Uncertainty reliability fuels widespread scepticism dismissal. Not surprisingly, believe solution filling (Pauly, Hilborn Branch, 2013), if afford it. Such views waning, albeit slowly, shown participation inclusion Indigenous Peoples platforms (IPBES; Tengö 2017; Díaz Realizing addressing fronts. Four them, resolved, achieve this. documentation face ethical issues (Tengö 2014). Perhaps producing argument must accepted reliable subject validation science (Molnár Babai, complicated created romanticized that, ironically, fuelled further validity (Davis Ruddle, topic work there diverging opinions. power assessing distinct forms bridge across stakeholders. New Zealand, compelling traditional property rights recognized customary law (Ruddle, 1995). Brazil, initially ridiculed officials even fishers, led legislation voluntary Collaborative respect integrity systems now offer promise these tensions. emphasize complementarity, within (rather across) joint assessments contributions 2017). While remain, difficult imagine type assessment. assessments, methodological procedures ‘true’ comparisons. summarized Danielsen (2021), affected data; include assumptions superior, baseline truth both poor consideration scales level experience scientists research. Assumptions equivalency datasets compared considered, although bias low precision misleading conclusions (Temple improved rigorous assessments. Since events, attention paid sources recall. Psychologists accuracy memory decades. A better-known everyday given taxa, recalls catches) age elapsed recalled design survey questionnaires (Koriat, Goldsmith Pansky, 2000; Devitt Schacter, Sekeres DeSoto Roediger, 2019; Diamond, Armson Levine, relate to, part of, range biases recall referred ‘memory illusions’ (see Daw, built body evaluate rigorously recall, highlighting open interdisciplinary Daw (2010) concluded, ‘the [such recalls], existence significance how handled. To answer this, better understanding humans perceive change, resource general.’ Local ethnobiological cultural anthropological literature social professionals, who ecologists, familiarity At time, proxies know-how ecological sciences divergence expertise clear path topic. kickstarted socio-ecological framework reconstruct (Early-Capistrán 2020), developments. outlined above, realizing resolving uncertainties. things, job ahead determine good bad, strengths weaknesses, best used. said professional success seizing rare opportunities. emergence one opportunity era statistical computing big king, idea studying marginalized may seem cutting edge (Wheeler doing able powerful tools solve With being numerous needing desperately, unit effort problems probably produces equivalent outcome units elsewhere. adapt reality start listening what know. funded Marine Fellows Program Pew Charitable Trusts. author declares conflicts interest.