A cognitive approach to the post-Soviet Central Asian pasture puzzle: new data from Kyrgyzstan

作者：Levine Jordan^*; Isaeva Aiganysh; Eddy Ian; Foggin Marc; Gergel Sarah; Hagerman Shannon; Zerriffi Hisham

来源：Regional Environmental Change, 2017, 17(3): 941-947.

DOI：10.1007/s10113-017-1122-8

• Pasture degradation
• Central Asia
• Cognition
• Post-Soviet
• Kyrgyzstan
• Self-concept

Despite internationally recognized definitions, there remains debate over what constitutes 'actual' degradation in various agro-pastoral contexts. This contention is especially pronounced in post-Soviet Central Asia. In this paper, we report on new interview data from the post-Soviet Kyrgyz Republic. These data evidence greater diversity of local perceptions of pasture degradation than previously reported. We then demonstrate how considering the role of well-documented aspects of human cognition demystifies the otherwise puzzling inconsistency in local pasture degradation narratives. We conclude by reflecting on the implications of this analytical approach for management.

• 出版日期2017-3