Abstract:

Reliance on vulnerable ecosystems has made it possible for indigenous peoples to observe the effects of climate change first-hand for several decades. Certain communities report very visible indicators, such as the disappearing sea ice in the Arctic region, or the measurable disappearance of snow and ice surfaces in the Andean region. Others observe the impacts of warming weather, such as the disappearance of food sources or the appearance of new species. Agricultural traditional knowledge has proven to be an invaluable adaptation tool for indigenous peoples. In the Americas, indigenous peoples rely on a diversity of crops, varieties and planting locations to cope with excessive or low rainfall, drought and other environmental changes. This serves as a safety measure which ensures that, in the face of severe environmental change, some crops survive. Various adaptive strategies employed in areas that are subject to water stress build upon traditional indigenous peoples’ techniques of soil and water conservation.