Semantic Methods for Intelligent Distributed Design Environments

Continuous advancements in technology have led to increasingly comprehensive and distributed product development processes while in pursuit of improved products at reduced costs. Information associated with these products is ever changing, and structured frameworks have become integral to managing such fluid information. Ontologies and the Semantic Web have emerged as key alternatives for capturing product knowledge in both a human-readable and computable manner. The primary and conclusive focus of this research is to characterize relationships formed within methodically developed distributed design knowledge frameworks to ultimately provide a pervasive real-time awareness in distributed design processes. Utilizing formal logics in the form of the Semantic Web’s OWL and SWRL, causal relationships are expressed to guide and facilitate knowledge acquisition as well as identify contradictions between knowledge in a knowledge base. To improve the efficiency during both the development and operational phases of these “intelligent” frameworks, a semantic relatedness algorithm is designed specifically to identify and rank underlying relationships within product development processes. After reviewing several semantic relatedness measures, three techniques, including a novel meronomic technique, are combined to create AIERO, the Algorithm for Identifying Engineering Relationships in Ontologies. In determining its applicability and accuracy, AIERO was applied to three separate, independently developed ontologies. The results indicate AIERO is capable of consistently returning relatedness values one would intuitively expect. To assess the effectiveness of AIERO in exposing underlying causal relationships across product development platforms, a case study involving the development of an industry-inspired printed circuit board (PCB) is presented. After instantiating the PCB knowledge base and developing an initial set of rules, FIDOE, the Framework for Intelligent Distributed Ontologies in Engineering, was employed to identify additional causal relationships through extensional relatedness measurements. In a conclusive PCB redesign, the resulting “intelligent” framework demonstrates its ability to pass values between instances, identify inconsistencies amongst instantiated knowledge, and identify conflicting values within product development frameworks. The results highlight how the introduced semantic methods can enhance the current knowledge acquisition, knowledge management, and knowledge validation capabilities of traditional knowledge bases.

Radiocarbon dates of Mytilus shells and peat and wood samples collected on Drayton Island

A multidisciplinary study was undertaken at the Qijurittuq Site (IbGk-3) on Drayton Island in Low-Arctic Quebec (Canada) to document the relationships between climatic, environmental, and cultural changes and the choice of Thule/Inuit dwelling style in the eastern Arctic. Several marine terraces were 14C-dated with shells in order to reconstruct the area's uplift (glacioisostatic rebound) curve. Plant macrofossil analysis of peat was conducted to reconstruct past vegetation and, indirectly, past climate. Archaeological surveys and excavations characterized the structure of subterranean sod houses at the Qijurittuq Site and were supplemented with open interviews with Inuit elders for a better understanding of site location and the use of household space. The sites selected for habitation were well-drained sandy marine terraces in a valley sheltered from prevailing winds. Sod houses were in turn made possible by the abundance of driftwood on the island and the presence of nearby peatland. Thule/Inuit people used semi-subterranean houses rather than igloos at the Qijurittuq Site during the dry, cold conditions toward the end of the Little Ice Age. Stable environmental conditions and food supply during winter possibly explain the use of those semipermanent houses on Drayton Island. However, it does not exclude the use of igloos during short expeditions on ice.

(Table 2) Number of identified specimens and individuals from bones and bone fragments at site IbGk-3, Drayton Island

An interdisciplinary study was conducted at Qijurittuq (IbGk-3), an archaeological site located on Drayton Island along the eastern shore of Hudson Bay, Nunavik. Local Inuit made important contributions to the research. High school students participated in the field school, and elders shared their traditional knowledge. The elders expressed an interest in the source of the wood used to construct Qijurittuq's semi-subterranean dwellings, and this inspired us to expand our research in that direction. This interdisciplinary study included a reconstruction of the geomorphological and environmental history of Drayton Island, wood provenance and dendrochronology studies, research on house architecture and settlement patterns, and a zooarchaeological analysis. This paper synthesizes the preliminary results of this interdisciplinary investigation within the context of climate change. We discuss the persistence of semi-subterranean dwellings in eastern Hudson Bay long after they had been abandoned elsewhere. At Qijurittuq, their abandonment corresponds with the end of Little Ice Age. However, at the same time, the development of more permanent contact with Euro-Canadians was having a strong impact upon Inuit culture.

Eco-entrepreneurship in developing countries: the case of renewable energy sector in Bolivia

The change towards a sustainable economic system represents a big challenge for the present as well as next generations. Such a process requires important long-term changes in technologies, lifestyle, infrastructures and institutions. In this scenario the innovation process is a crucial element for fostering sustainability as well as an egalitarian development in developing countries. For those reasons the concept of Eco-Innovation System is introduced and further considerations are provided for the case of less-developed countries. The paper illustrates that sustainable development is possible by exploiting local potential and traditional knowledge in order to achieve at the same time economic growth, social equality and environmental sustainability. In order to prove such an assumption a specific case study is described: The renewable energy sector in Bolivia. The case study summarizes many important dimensions of the innovation process in developing countries such as technological transfer, diffusion and adaptation, social dimension and development issues.

Composición florística y etnobotánica de las diferentes formaciones vegetales de la provincia de Loja, Ecuador

Pese a que Loja (Ecuador) presenta una gran riqueza ecológica y cultural, ni su patrimonio etnobotánico, ni cómo afecta el uso de las plantas al estado de conservación de los ecosistemas es bien conocido. Por ello se ha realizado un estudio etnobotánico y ecológico para conocer el papel que han jugado las plantas en la cultura tradicional de la provincia y comprender qué factores influyen en su uso. Durante 2006 y 2008 se entrevistó a 770 informantes (196 de ellos vendedores en mercados locales) y se realizaron 373 transectos en 118 remanentes boscosos, 51% indicados por la gente como lugares de recolección. Se ha registrado el saber etnobotánico de 717 especies pertenecientes a 143 familias, la mayoría nativas del Ecuador, 31 de ellas endémicas. Ello supone un 15% de la flora total de Loja. Sin embargo especies introducidas como Matricaria recutita o Eucalyptus globulus están entre las más citadas. La mayor riqueza se obtuvo para las plantas medicinales (509 especies), que se usan sobre todo para tratar las llamadas “inflamaciones internas” (210 especies, Matricaria recutita y Melissa officinalis principalmente) y trastornos del sistema digestivo (188, Matricaria recutita y Mentha pulegium). En los mercados se venden 169 especies, la mayoría para elaborar la bebida típica llamada horchata (65) y para curar “inflamaciones internas” (36). Además se emplean 414 con otros fines (161 para leña, 142 para alimentación humana, 133 para construcción de viviendas y muebles, 98 para artesanías, 89 ornamentales, 27 tintóreas y 72 para otros usos). En los remanentes se inventariaron 19.156 individuos correspondientes a 1440 especies de 153 familias, de las cuales 437 son empleadas por la población. La riqueza media de especies y de plantas útiles fue significativamente mayor en los remanentes recolectados lo cual parece demostrar que la explotación no afecta negativamente a la diversidad de especies al generar variabilidad de hábitats. También se vio que la proporción de especies útiles disminuye en los remanentes más diversos. También se observó que la probabilidad de uso de una especie aumenta con la frecuencia y la abundancia y disminuye con la distancia a los remanentes en los que aparece. Este patrón general no se cumple para las especies medicinales y ornamentales. Estos datos demuestran una gran riqueza de conocimientos tradicionales y una gran vitalidad del uso de muchas especies y corroboran la hipótesis de que los recursos vegetales más accesibles y abundantes son, salvo excepciones, los más empleados por la gente. ABSTRACT Although the Loja province (Ecuador) has a great ecological and cultural richness, neither the ethnobotanical heritage nor the incidence of plant use on ecosystems conservation it is well known. We have made an ethnobotanical and ecological study to determine the role played by plants in the traditional culture of the province and to understand what factors influence their use. Between 2006 and 2008 we interviewed 770 informants (196 of them vendors in local markets) and inventoried 373 transects in 118 forest remnants (51% of them indicated by people as collection sites). We recorded the ethnobotanical knowledge for 717 species belonging to 143 families, mostly native of Ecuador, 31 of which are endemic. This represents about a 15% of the total flora of Loja. However introduced species such as Matricaria recutita and Eucalyptus globulus are among the most cited. Medicinal plants (509 species) were the most abundant, and are used primarily to treat so‐called "internal inflammation" (210 species, with Matricaria recutita and Melissa officinalis as the most valued) and disorders of the digestive system (188, Matricaria recutita and Mentha pulegium). We recorded 169 species sold in markets, most of them (65) employed to elaborate a typical drink called horchata and to heal "internal inflammation" (36). In addition 414 are used for other purposes: 161 for firewood, 142 for human consumption, 133 for construction and furniture, 98 for handicrafts, 89 as ornamental, 27 for dye and 72 for other uses. In the forest remnants, 19,156 individuals corresponding to 1440 species of 153 families, 437 of which are used by the population were inventoried. The average species richness (both total and of useful plants) was significantly higher in exploited remnants, which suggest that exploitation does not adversely affect species diversity and instead increases habitat diversity. We also found that the proportion of useful species decreases in decreased in the most diverse remnants. It was also observed that the probability of use of a species increases with its frequency and abundance and decreases as the distance form localities to remnants where it appears increases. This general pattern however does not hold for medicinal and ornamental species. These results show the extraordinary wealth of traditional knowledge and the great vitality in the use of many species and support the hypothesis that most accessible and abundant plant resources are the most used by people.

Dimensión territorial de los sistemas alimentarios locales. El caso de Madrid

Una de las características definitorias del sistema urbano contemporáneo es su desterritorialización, es decir, su adopción de un modelo de desarrollo que se da al margen del territorio concreto que lo sustenta y de los recursos biofísicos y culturales existentes en él. Dicha desterritorialización es posible gracias al uso intensivo de energía que ha permitido ampliar hasta la escala global los flujos del metabolismo urbano. De este modo se han roto las relaciones de proximidad urbano-rurales, y se ha aumentado la dependencia de recursos externos. Entre las diferentes manifestaciones de esta desterritorialización se encuentra la organización del sistema alimentario, que en la actualidad responde a un modelo globalizado, en el que la distancia entre producción y consumo ha aumentado a costa de incrementar el gasto energético en transporte y conservación de alimentos. Este distanciamento físico va acompañado también de un distanciamiento social e identario, con la hegemonía de un modelo agroindustrial que no respeta los paisajes, las prácticas agrícolas, los conocimientos tradicionales ni las variedades genéticas locales. Tanto el modelo territorial como el alimentario son altamente vulnerables ante crisis externas que pueden alterar su funcionamiento. El enfoque (bio)regionalista desde el mismo inicio de la ciudad industrial hasta nuestros días ha propuesto un modelo de ordenación territorial alternativo, adaptado a las condiciones locales y basado en la proximidad, que dotaría al sistema territorial de mayor resiliencia y sostenibilidad. Para confirmar este presupuesto y evaluar la capacidad de reterritorialización alimentaria se ha desarrollado una metodología que aborda el estudio del sistema territorial como socioecosistema complejo, en el que se distinguen componentes de tipo social, construido y biofísico, que se encuentran interrelacionados. La historia de cambios en la organización del sistema, su estado actual y su capacidad de reorganizarse en estados alternativos son las bases de dicha evaluación. Esta metodología se aplica a la Comunidad de Madrid con el fin de describir su sistema territorial desde el punto de vista del abastecimiento alimentario y evaluar su capacidad de reterritorialización. ABSTRACT Deterritorialization is one of the defining characteristics of the contemporary urban system. This means that its development model is designed ignoring the attributes of the specific region in which is located, and the biophysical and cultural resources therein. Such territorialization is possible due to the intensive energy consumption that allows expanding to a global scale the flows of urban metabolism. This way, urban-rural linkages have been broken, increasing dependency on external resources. The modern food system is among the clearest expressions of a deterritorialized model. In a globalized food system, increasing distances between production and consumption spaces are possible through energy-intensive transport and preservation activities. Physical distanciation goes hand in hand with social disconnection and loss of identity, due to a hegemonic agro-industrial model that does not respect local landscapes, agricultural practices, traditional knowledge or genetic varieties. Both the regional and the food systems are highly vulnerable to external shocks that may affect their functions. The bioregionalist approach has proposed, since the industrial city until today, an alternative model, adapted to local conditions and rooted on proximity, which provides a sustainable and resilient regional planning and management. To confirm this assumption and assess the food reterritorialisation capacity, a methodology has been developed that address the regional system as a complex social-ecosystem, in which interrelated social, built and biophysical subsystems are included. Assessment is based in the analysis of regimes shifts in the history of the system, and in the description of its current and alternative states. This methodology is applied to the administrative region of Madrid in order to describe its regional food system and assess its reterritorialization capacity.

O cuidado no espaço de intermedicalidade em uma aldeia indígena

O objetivo deste estudo foi interpretar a realidade social e política, na qual se estabelece o cuidado intercultural vivenciado por indivíduos na zona de intermedicalidade de uma aldeia, partindo da perspectiva dos usuários indígenas e dos profissionais de saúde ameríndios e não-indígenas. As bases teóricas que ancoraram a coleta e análise interpretativa dos dados incluíram: a Etnografia, Antropologia Interpretativa, Modelos explanatórios e abordagem cultural safety. Mediante aprovação do Comitê Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa, procedeu-se trabalho de campo na Terra Indígena Buriti, localizada nos munícipios Sidrolândia e Dois Irmãos do Buriti, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Realizou-se observação participante nas unidades de saúde e no cotidiano das famílias nas aldeias, bem como no Pólo de Sidrolândia. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas com 16 indígenas usuários do serviço, 12 profissionais de saúde terenas e seis trabalhadores de saúde não-indígenas. A análise dos dados, simultânea à coleta, ocorreu na perspectiva da Hermenêutica Dialética por meio da análise temática. Os preceitos éticos foram seguidos. Neste estudo, identificaram-se dois temas: 1) \"Doença é pior que a morte: explicações sobre o processo de adoecimento\" retrata como o processo saúde-doença é interpretado pelos participantes. Saúde, para os terenas, é um aspecto primordial na vida deles. O processo de adoecer envolve a perda e/ou a redução da disposição física, psíquica e espiritual para desenvolver atividades cotidianas. Espiritualidade, higiene, alimentação e a questão da posse de terra impactam o processo de adoecimento terena. 2) \"A intermedicalidade do sistema de cuidado em saúde terena\" que retrata os significados atribuídos pelos participantes à coexistência e intercomunicações (intermedicalidade) entre as formas de cuidados em saúde terena: medicina terena, espiritualidade, modo de vida e o serviço oficial de atenção à saúde (sistema Pólo/Posto). O sistema de cuidado dos terenas revela o processo de indigenização dos serviços de saúde. A medicina terena é entendida sob dois âmbitos: um centralizado no conhecimento tradicional indígena, que inclui uso de ervas, atividades de parteiras e de \"puxadores de pernas\"; e outro nos aspectos místicos e sobrenaturais para sua execução: rezas e prática da pajelança, com destaque para redução do número de pajés. A espiritualidade como opção terapêutica é representada pela fé do terena em Deus, concretizada pela oração. O modo de vida do terena engloba principalmente dois aspectos: centralidade na família e o cuidado com higiene individual e ambiental. O sistema Polo/Posto é procurado pelo terena conforme a cartela de serviços ofertada pelas unidades e segundo suas necessidades peculiares, os casos que o terena \"não consegue resolver\". Neste âmbito de cuidado, há a produção de encontros do cuidado pautados pelo vínculo, confiança, diálogo e agir dos profissionais culturalmente sensível. Há, também, desencontros do cuidado favorecidos por prioridades estabelecidas em metas, atendimento queixa-conduta e precária infraestrutura. Observou-se um processo maciço do uso de medicação. Os aspectos identificados nos relatos dos participantes sobre o sistema de cuidado terena são atravessados pela historicidade do povo terena, questão da posse de terra, medicalização da sociedade, higienismo, integração entre corpo, cosmos e terra, espiritualidade com diversidade religiosa, cultura terena centrada na família, atividades programáticas de saúde na atenção básica, biomedicina, transporte precário e baixa resolutividade. Diabetes e hipertensão arterial foram as doenças registradas pelo Pólo e significadas pelos participantes como as principais enfermidades da população. Há a coexistência de medicinas híbridas em todos âmbitos de cuidado em saúde terena. É importante que a intermedicalidade ocorra nos espaços do sistema Pólo/Posto sem sobreposição do saber médico e/ou da lógica institucional à sabedoria terena

ASPECTOS COMUNICATIVOS E CULTURAIS NOS HÁBITOS CULINÁRIOS CAIÇARA DA COMUNIDADE QUILOMBOLA DA FAZENDA PICINGUABA, DE UBATUBA SP

Estudo sobre os processos comunicativos envoltos na transformação dos hábitos culinários da comunidade quilombola da Fazenda Picinguaba de Ubatuba, SP. O objetivo é entender as origens e as causas que provocaram alterações nos hábitos culinários da comunidade do Quilombo da Fazenda, a partir de uma análise comparativa entre os fazeres primitivos e os praticados hoje. Foi analisado também o processo comunicacional desenvolvido para a transmissão da cultura alimentar entre as gerações, identificando as linguagens utilizadas. Como instrumento para o entendimento desses fenômenos, esta pesquisa foi realizada à luz das teorias e conceitos dos estudos culturais; dos conceitos sobre comunidades e identidades, além da teoria da folkcomunicação desenvolvida por Luiz Beltrão. Para tanto, foi realizada pesquisa bibliográfica e estudo de documentos, além de entrevistas utilizando-se a modalidade história oral com os membros da comunidade. Os resultados obtidos apontam uma mudança nos hábitos alimentares da comunidade do Quilombo da Fazenda, devido à facilidade de acesso ao comércio de gêneros alimentícios, decorrente da construção da rodovia Rio-Santos, e a influência trazida pela televisão, a partir da implantação da rede de energia elétrica em 2008. No entanto, observamos que apesar dessa mudança, a base da cultura alimentar quilombola vem mantendo muito dos seus aspectos originais. A comunicação dentro da comunidade quilombola e a transmissão dos saberes e fazeres tradicionais da comunidade ocorrem predominante pela oralidade. Identificamos a presença de dança, música, roda de conversa, culinária, artesanato que correspondem aos gêneros da folkcomunicação.

Influence of habitat on the reproductive ecology of the Amazonian palm, Mauritia flexuosa, in Roraima, Brazil

Although Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) plays a pivotal role in the ecology and economy of the Amazon, and occurs in a variety of habitats, little is known about the influence of habitat on the reproductive biology of this palm. My dissertation focuses on the reproductive biology of M. flexuosa in three habitats in Roraima, Brazil: undisturbed forest, undisturbed forest-savanna ecotone, and savanna disturbed by plantations of the exotic tree, Acacia mangium. First, I calculated sex ratios and linked precipitation patterns with phenology. Sex ratios were female-biased. Precipitation was negatively associated with flowering, and positively associated with fruiting. Habitat appears to have no significant influence on phenology of M. flexuosa, although short-term climate variation may affect phenology of this species. Second, I examined floral biology, observed floral visitors, and performed exclusion experiments to determine the pollination system of M. flexuosa. Fruit set did not differ significantly between the visitor exclusion treatment and the control, but was significantly lowest in the wind + visitor exclusion treatment, suggesting that this dioecious palm is anemophilous, independent of habitat. Third, I identified the abiotic and biotic factors explaining variation in fruit mass, seed mass, seed number per fruit, and total fruit yield among habitats. Soil moisture and flooding during the wet season were the best predictors of fruit and seed output. The number of leaves, diameter at breast height, and height were all accurate predictors of reproductive output, but crown volume did not accurately predict fruit yields. Results re-evaluate traditional assumptions about wind-pollination in the tropics, and highlight abiotic and biotic factors responsible for variation in reproductive output of M. flexuosa, with implications for effective management of this palm. Finally, I interviewed harvesters and vendors to document the traditional knowledge and market dynamics of the fruit of M. flexuosa, buriti. Traditional knowledge corroborated results from scientific studies. Vendors argued that the price of buriti must increase, and must fluctuate with varying supply. With appropriate economic incentives to vendors/harvesters, Roraima may expand its market infrastructure for buriti, effectively stimulating the regional economy and practicing sustainable harvesting.

Cuidado psicossocial em saúde mental: estudo em assentamentos rurais do Rio Grande do Norte

Dwellers of agrarian reform settlements have a life conditioned by poor living and work conditions, difficulties accessing health programs, social assistance and other public policies and by this exacerbating their psychosocial and environmental vulnerability, which has an impact on their mental health. This research investigates the availability of support by the health and social assistance staff, regarding the demands of common mental disorders and alcohol abuse of dwellers of nine settlements in Rio Grande do Norte. Fifty three experts from different professional categories were interviewed individually or in groups. The results indicate that the workers suffer from poor working conditions, attributes of patrimonial heritage and welfare, which still survives in Brazilian social policies and particularly at local administrations of the countryside. The staffs have little knowledge of the local conditions and of the mental health needs, which has a negative impact on the reception and offered care. The implemented health care still corresponds to the biomedical logic, characterized by ethnocentrism, technicality, biology, cure, individualism and specialization, with little participation of the dwellers and disregarding the traditional knowledge and practices of local health care and by this not achieving the expected results. The psychosocial attendance is not well coordinated, presenting problems with the follow-up and continuity of care. The psychosocial mental health care in rural context has to face the challenge of the reorganization of the health care networks, the establishment of primary health care close to the people’s everyday life, building intersectional practices considering a health multidetermination and health education connected to these specific contexts. Due to the lack of knowledge of the specifics of the life conditions of the dwellers and the fragmentation of the psychosocial health care network, these staffs do not abide and are not ready to face the mental health needs in order to interfere with these health iniquities.

Cuidado psicossocial em saúde mental: estudo em assentamentos rurais do Rio Grande do Norte

Dwellers of agrarian reform settlements have a life conditioned by poor living and work conditions, difficulties accessing health programs, social assistance and other public policies and by this exacerbating their psychosocial and environmental vulnerability, which has an impact on their mental health. This research investigates the availability of support by the health and social assistance staff, regarding the demands of common mental disorders and alcohol abuse of dwellers of nine settlements in Rio Grande do Norte. Fifty three experts from different professional categories were interviewed individually or in groups. The results indicate that the workers suffer from poor working conditions, attributes of patrimonial heritage and welfare, which still survives in Brazilian social policies and particularly at local administrations of the countryside. The staffs have little knowledge of the local conditions and of the mental health needs, which has a negative impact on the reception and offered care. The implemented health care still corresponds to the biomedical logic, characterized by ethnocentrism, technicality, biology, cure, individualism and specialization, with little participation of the dwellers and disregarding the traditional knowledge and practices of local health care and by this not achieving the expected results. The psychosocial attendance is not well coordinated, presenting problems with the follow-up and continuity of care. The psychosocial mental health care in rural context has to face the challenge of the reorganization of the health care networks, the establishment of primary health care close to the people’s everyday life, building intersectional practices considering a health multidetermination and health education connected to these specific contexts. Due to the lack of knowledge of the specifics of the life conditions of the dwellers and the fragmentation of the psychosocial health care network, these staffs do not abide and are not ready to face the mental health needs in order to interfere with these health iniquities.

Tropical cyclone perceptions, impacts and adaptation in the Southwest Pacific: an urban perspective from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga

The destruction caused by tropical cyclone (TC) Pam in March 2015 is considered one of the worst natural disasters in the history of Vanuatu. It has highlighted the need for a better understanding of TC impacts and adaptation in the Southwest Pacific (SWP) region. Therefore, the key aims of this study are to (i) understand local perceptions of TC activity, (ii) investigate impacts of TC activity and (iii) uncover adaptation strategies used to offset the impacts of TCs. To address these aims, a survey (with 130 participants from urban areas) was conducted across three SWP small island states (SISs): Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga (FVT). It was found that respondents generally had a high level of risk perception and awareness of TCs and the associated physical impacts, but lacked an understanding of the underlying weather conditions. Responses highlighted that current methods of adaptation generally occur at the local level, immediately prior to a TC event (preparation of property, gathering of food, finding a safe place to shelter). However higher level adaptation measures (such as the modification to building structures) may reduce vulnerability further. Finally, we discuss the potential
of utilising weather-related traditional knowledge and nontraditional knowledge of empirical and climate-model-based weather forecasts to improve TC outlooks, which would ultimately reduce vulnerability and increase adaptive capacity. Importantly, lessons learned from this study may result in the modification and/or development of existing adaptation strategies.

La cartographie participative dans la gestion cadastrale coutumière dans la tribu de Wan Pwec à Hienghène en Nouvelle-Calédonie

La cartographie participative est l’une des multiples disciplines de la géomatique. Elle a débuté dans les années 1980 afin d’aider les populations locales des pays du Sud à développer leur territoire. C’est en Nouvelle-Calédonie, dans la tribu de Wan Pwec que nous allons voir les intérêts, d’un tel processus de cartographie participative. Il est important de souligner que ce n’est pas pour développer son territoire que cette discipline est utilisée, mais plutôt pour montrer et démontrer les logiques traditionnelles de gestion de la terre existant dans les tribus kanak : logiques traditionnelles basées sur un savoir transmis de génération en génération de façon orale. C’est sur les terres coutumières de la tribu de Wan Pwec, que nous allons voir comment la vision mentale possédée par les chefs de familles et le chef de clan administre et gère les terres familiales. C’est dans une société kanak caractérisée par une forte tradition orale et n’ayant connu aucun support papier pour conserver et archiver ses connaissances que ce mémoire s’incorpore. À l’aide de la géomatique, d’une étude de cas sur le terrain et d’autres disciplines (comme l’anthropologie, le droit, l’histoire, la géographie, etc.), ce mémoire propose les résultats de ses travaux sur le savoir traditionnel du foncier coutumier.