Social Learning and the indigenous ecological knowledge exchange in natural ecosystem management (Case study: Lazur village- Firuzkooh region)

Social learning and knowledge generation are two key factors to achieve successful natural resources co-management. Social learning can be beneficial by broadcasting and transmitting experiences and problem solving ideas in a group of people. Social learning networks can transmit knowledge and experiences from one node to another in the network. Social learning can produce a suitable learning atmosphere among natural resource users in co-management processes. The goal of this study is to analyze the learning networks based on ecological knowledge transmission connectivity among 4 groups of rangeland users’ network in Lazur village, located in Firuzkooh Region and identifying key actors in social learning process. For implicating this study based on quantitative network analysis methods, network analysis questionnaires and linkages of indigenous ecological knowledge generation and exchange were gathered. The results show that density level of bonding ties in subgroup NO.3 is more than other subgroups, so social capital, cohesion and social learning of this group is more than other groups. The results of centralization index based on outgoing ties indicate more closure of knowledge broadcast and exchange network. Also, key actors in generation and transmission of indigenous knowledge were identified through centrality index. Finally, it may be stated that the social network analysis and identifying key individuals can help the managers and decision makers in programming social learning processes to transmit local ecological knowledge among users and finally successful co-management of natural ecological systems.