Framing local ecological knowledge to value marine ecosystem services for the customary sea tenure of aboriginal communities in southern Chile

Our results provide empirical evidence of a rich body of aboriginal knowledge, practices, beliefs and perspectives in both selected sites related to marine ES which is rooted in a ancient ecosystem perspective of the Mapuche-Williche׳s communities. However, authorities should recognize the existence and validity of the Mapuche-Williche׳s ecological knowledge to develop the management plans of the customary marine areas. It is demonstrated that aboriginal communities are suffering a selective erosion of ecological knowledge which is generation dependent, and which is mainly attributed to the development of aquaculture sector.