Evolutionary Ecology and Ethnobiology

Evolutionary ethnobiology studies the evolutionary processes derived from interactions between humans and biotic elements (mainly plants, animals, fungi, and some micro-organisms) that form part of the ecosystems the manage. Such interactions may have evolutionary consequences on: (1) the organisms interacting with humans, (2) the humans themselves, their culture and societies, and (3) the managed ecosystems and landscapes. This perspective indicates that questions of evolutionary ethnobiology are eminently social-ecological complex problems, and their understanding therefore require interdisciplinary research approaches combining perspectives from a broad spectrum of social and ecological disciplines. We summarise in this chapter conceptual and methodological approaches for analysing the interactions between humans and plants and animals, their domestication and forms to evaluate their morphological, physiological, and genetic consequences. In addition, we analyse the repercussion of domestication on settled life and the arising of civilisation, and their current influence on social organisation and culture. Finally, we analyse the process of modelling of landscapes that predominate on most of the surface of the Earth, particularly those intentional forms that conform what we call landscape domestication. We conclude that evolution on each of these dimensions influence the others and, therefore, the integrated view is necessary for a holistic comprehension of evolutionary processes influenced by humans. In addition, we conclude that the theoretical construction in this field may substantially help in designing sustainable management strategies. Concepts and methods referred to are those adopted and constructed by our own research group for analysing main problems in relation to the main aspects mentioned of evolutionary ethnobiology.