Indigenous Wisdom for a Changing World: Bridging Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation

Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with ecological science is essential for biodiversity conservation strategies that are both effective and culturally legitimate. This study aimed to document the role of TEK in biodiversity conservation and to assess its ecological and cultural significance in the Hadiya and Kambata-Tembaro zones of central Ethiopia. Integrated ethnobotanical surveys and ecological assessments were conducted across sacred groves, community-managed forests, agroforestry plots, and grazing lands. Data collection included species inventories, cultural use documentation, and ecological measurements of richness and structural complexity. A total of 78 plant species were recorded, with culturally significant species such as Aframomum corrorima and Cordia africana serving multifunctional roles in medicine, food, and rituals. Sacred groves, maintained through cultural taboos and local institutions, harbored the highest species richness (62 species) and structural complexity, significantly exceeding disturbed sites. Communities identified biodiversity decline as a biocultural crisis linked to agricultural expansion, overharvesting, and weakening institutions. Adaptive TEK practices, including rotational harvesting, ritual prohibitions, community nurseries, and hybrid governance were employed to sustain ecological and cultural functions. Biodiversity conservation in this region is inseparable from cultural and institutional contexts. Effective strategies must move beyond ecological metrics to integrate TEK and community governance systems. Recognizing sacred sites as biocultural refugia and strengthening community-led stewardship offers resilient pathways to conserve biodiversity while safeguarding cultural heritage. Framing TEK as a dynamic, actionable framework underscores its potential to support ecologically robust and socially grounded conservation outcomes.