Exploring a new Biocultural Credit Assessment Framework: case study for Indigenous-led fauna management from the Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area, Australia

Warning: This article contains names and/or images of deceased Aboriginal Peoples.

Context: The global biological-diversity crisis has resulted in a widespread uptake of market mechanisms to promote conservation. Despite widespread recognition of Indigenous-led contribution to biodiveristy conservation, market mechanisms are often derived from Western scientific approaches that do not appropriately incorporate Indigenous cultural values and objectives.

Aims: This research sought to produce a proof-of-concept case study for a novel ‘Biocultural Credit Assessment Framework’ (BCAF) to facilitate design of an Indigenous-led biocultural conservation project in response to ongoing decline of culturally significant fauna in north-eastern Arnhem Land, Australia. The BCAF is underpinned by Indigenous identification of project dimensions, combining biological and cultural values and aspirations, which could form assessable foundations of a potential Indigenous-led biocultural credit project.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine Yolŋu Elders over 2 days. A three-stage thematic analysis using pre-defined coding categories and both latent and semantic level analysis were used to elucidate key components of a biocultural project from Elder responses, including biocultural concerns, actions, targets and indicators.

Key results: Yolŋu Elders expressed six key concerns about local fauna, including the following: that some animals were no longer seen; youth were not learning cultural knowledge; invasive-species impacts; reliance on shop food; and Western influences. These concerns were linked to three key targets, including improved cultural transmission, access and use of more bush foods, and seeing ‘species of decline’ again. Ten key indicator groups assessed by a mix of Indigenous and Western methodologies were identified and revolved around biophysical and cultural learning parameters to measure the impact of actions to progress targets. In total, six actions were identified, including spending more time on Country, science-based environmental management strategies and knowledge sharing.

Conclusions: The BCAF elucidated key components of an Indigenous-led biocultural conservation project as identified by Elders. A mix of biophysical and cultural learning indicators assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively could be used to feed into a potential biocultural credit market to enhance project delivery.

Implications: Further research is required to progress this conceptual framework with Cultural Advisors and real financial partners to further elucidate challenges, opportunities, and next steps towards an inclusive biocultural market.