Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Conservation Practices within Botswana's Ecosystems: A Methodological Exploration

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) among indigenous communities in Botswana has been recognised for its valuable insights into ecosystem management and conservation practices. The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining ethnographic fieldwork with quantitative data analysis. Ethnographic interviews were conducted, and ecological survey data was collected from multiple sites across Botswana. A thematic analysis of TEK revealed significant patterns in local knowledge about water sources and vegetation dynamics, indicating that traditional practices can be highly effective for sustainable resource management. The findings underscore the importance of TEK in enhancing conservation efforts by providing context-specific solutions to ecological challenges. Policy-makers are encouraged to incorporate TEK into environmental planning frameworks to support biodiversity conservation and community resilience. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.