Lessons from the past for a better future: Ethnoecology, a promising link between tradition and science regarding biodiversity management

After reviewing biological diversity data concerning tropical countries, main biodiversity issues and challenges are listed. The evolution of the “ethnoecology” concept and its present meaning are examined. Starting from two or four roots, including ethnoagronomy, ethnoecology is taking progressively a dominant position regarding local knowledge as well as in modern ecosystems’ management. The various levels of environmental knowledge are pinpointed from examples taken in Tibet, pre-Saharan Morocco, Guinea-Bisseau, Upper Katanga and Zambia, and finally Bolivia. Lessons from the past are highlighted through present ecological studies and interaction outputs are stressed and discussed. Finally, a success story of validation of non-woody forest product is presented, with the establishment of a business subject regarding wild edible mushrooms from the wetter miombo area of South Central Africa.