What is ecological anthropology? All human societies exist somewhere; that is, they are located in environments. The interaction between the nature of the environment in which people live, and their cultural knowledge and the organization of their societies, is the area of interest of ecological anthropology. Ecological anthropology examines relationships between cultural practices and understandings, social institutions and the characteristics of the environment in shaping human ways of life, drawing on concepts from biological ecology, and on anthropological framing of cultural and social realms. How does the nature of the local environment shape local culture and society? How do cultural notions and social organization impact and shape local environments?
- Coordinator: janelleb