Historical Harvest

Information on natural resources exploited by humans is crucial for conservation efforts, yet it's often lacking in developing nations. One innovative method for gathering such data involves surveying resource users about their recollections of past harvests. However, the reliability of these recall-based estimates has been uncertain. In our study, we demonstrate that despite being influenced by factors such as the age of individuals and the time elapsed since the events, harvest recalls can be surprisingly accurate compared to data collected through standardized protocols. This highlights the potential of harvest recalls to inform resource management in data-poor systems worldwide, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional approaches.