Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Nigerian Conservation Practices: A Synthesis of Indigenous Wisdom and Modern Ecology

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in Nigeria encompasses a deep understanding of environmental systems by indigenous communities, integrating cultural practices and natural resource management. A mixed-methods approach combining ethnographic fieldwork with participatory mapping techniques to document TEK and its application in local conservation practices. Participatory mapping revealed a significant spatial distribution of traditional forest management zones across northern Nigeria, covering approximately 40% of the surveyed area. This study underscores the importance of integrating TEK into modern conservation planning to achieve more sustainable and culturally sensitive outcomes. Local communities should be actively involved in decision-making processes for implementing TEK-based conservation initiatives. Traditional ecological knowledge, Nigerian conservation practices, participatory mapping The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.