Table 2. Areas of complementarity between science and traditional ecological knowledge for population monitoring.

Principle  
Explanation
Diachronic-synchronic complementarity   Science is good at collecting synchronic data (short time series) over a large area, whereas traditional knowledge tends to focus on diachronic information (long time series), often in small areas, as needed to establish a baseline. Using the two together provides more complete information on both temporal and spatial scales.
Complementary foci on averages vs. extremes   Much of science is based on collecting numerical data, with emphasis on statistical analysis of averages. Holders of traditional knowledge are exceptionally good at observing extreme events, variations, and unusual patterns and remembering them through oral history and social memory.
Interplay between quantitative and qualitative information   Science demands quantitative data on parts of the system; traditional knowledge strives for a qualitative understanding of the whole. Given that the understanding of complex systems requires both, the two perspectives are complementary. Qualitative measures can be more rapid and inexpensive, but at the expense of precision.
Traditional knowledge for better hypotheses, science for a better test of mechanisms   Traditional knowledge provides a shortcut to more relevant hypotheses for problem solving but does not usually address mechanisms, i.e., the "why" question. Science has powerful tools for testing the "why" but could waste time and effort on trivial hypotheses. The use of the two approaches together takes advantage of their relative strengths.
Complementing objectivity with subjectivity   Science strives to be objective, excluding people and feelings. Traditional knowledge explicitly includes people, feelings, relationships, and sacredness. Science is good at monitoring populations from a distance, but the incorporation of traditional monitoring allows for a stronger link between science and community, producing "science with a heart."