Islanders of South Korea: Culture, climate change, and traditional ecological knowledge

Abstract

Selected Island populations of South Korea were interviewed and landscapes surveyed in the Southwestern ocean region to discern what cultural changes they had noted in response to environmental changes possibly due to climate change impacts. Utilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) methodology, cultural behaviors and patterns of island populations were easily identified, along with historical information of changes occurring for islanders in the areas of lifestyle, adaptation, and utilization of natural resources. This TEK information is being fragmented and is at risk within the current structure of island system operations.