Keystone biocultural interactions among Native American Yaghan people and molluscs: An ethnoecological and ethical study using the field environmental philosophy methodology

Yaghan people have developed multiple biocultural interactions with mollusks. Our study aims to learn about these relationships through an interdisciplinary approach using Field Environmental Philosophy. With our ecological research, we found that mussels do not exhibit seasonal changes in abundance. Ethnographic reports document that low seasonal variability in mussel abundance has been crucial to the Yaghan subsistence. With our ethical research, we identified multiple values in the Yaghan worldview. Mollusc’s instrumental values are related to food or aesthetic decoration. Intrinsic values are associated with mollusk’s oral storytelling. Combining ethno-ecological and philosophical aspects, we suggest metaphors and activities for biocultural conservation.