Integrating traditional ecological knowledge with ecological surveys for conservation of the Mishmi Takin in Eastern Himalaya, India

Abstract

Integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge systems is increasingly recognised as essential tool for addressing conservation challenges in data-deficient landscapes. However, approaches for systematically incorporating Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into conservation science remain limited. In this study we evaluated weather TEK can function as structured ecological information for understanding the vulnerable Mishmi Takin ( Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor ) in the Eastern Himalayas. Between 2021 and 2023 TEK were documented from indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Community-derived ecological observations were integrated with camera trapping, field expeditions and direct observations. Multivariate analyses, including Principal Component Analyses (PCA), Multiple Correspondence Analyses (MCA), hierarchical clustering and regression approaches were used to examine patterns and variation in ecological knowledge. Respondents described seasonal migration, habitat use, congregation dynamics, group size, and perceived threats. Camera trap surveys (>17,000 independent captures) validated key observations, the habitat use patterns, identified critical congregation sites and seasonal aggregations. Multivariate analyses showed distinct gradients of ecological knowledge associated with landscape exposure, observation effort, and threat awareness demonstrating that TEK represents a structured knowledge system and can generate robust ecological information for data-deficient species. Our findings further underscored that the TEK can provide a reliable ecological inference and provide a robust source of evidence for understanding species ecology, identifying critical habitats and conservation. By integrating TEK with species ecology this study presents a replicable framework for conservation research and decision making in remote socio-ecological landscapes.