Ethnic diversity, resource values, and ecosystem management: Matsutake mushroom harvesting in the klamath bioregion

Abstract

Values attached to natural resources by cultural groups are often overlooked in defining the goals of ecosystem management. Resource values may be especially important when groups compete not only for the use but also the cultural meaning of a common resource. When groups increasingly differ in ethnicity and marginality, the resource values which they attach to that common resource may diverge sharply. As a result, ecosystem management goals may not adequately address the concerns of different ethnic groups who use a natural resource. This is the case with special forest products, an understudied component of ecosystem management. We examined the role of resource values and resource competition in special forest product harvesting in this investigation of North American matsutake or tanoak mushroom (Tricholoma magnivelare) collection in national forests in the Klamath bioregion. Data obtained through picker surveys, field interviews, and analysis of mushroom permits indicated that different ethnic groups varied in their harvesting experience, harvesting patterns, means of resource control, and resource values. These variations stemmed from competing resource use and diverging resource values and revealed how ethnic diversity contributes to resource conflicts and affects forest sustainability.

Key words:

• cultural diversity
• ecosystem management
• ethnicity
• matsutake
• resource conflict
• resource values
• special forest products
• wild mushrooms