Page(s) 337-338

11.2. Describe the multispecies perspective in environmental anthropology.
Match each anthropologist with their multispecies ethnography.
Stefan Helmreich
Eduardo Kohn
Laura Ogden
Alien Ocean
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How Forests Think
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Swamplife
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1 answer

The multispecies perspective in environmental anthropology is an approach that focuses on the interactions and interconnectedness between humans and other species within ecosystems. This perspective emphasizes that humans are not the sole actors in the environment, but rather, are part of complex networks that include plants, animals, microorganisms, and other non-human entities. By considering the agency and roles of these various species, anthropologists aim to develop a more holistic and integrated understanding of environmental issues, which can lead to more effective and inclusive conservation strategies.

Matching each anthropologist with their respective multispecies ethnography:

1. **Stefan Helmreich** - **"Alien Ocean"**: Helmreich's work explores how marine scientists study microbial life in the oceans, illuminating the complex relationships between marine microbes and human scientific practices.

2. **Eduardo Kohn** - **"How Forests Think"**: Kohn's ethnography delves into the lives of the Runa people in Ecuador and their interactions with the forest, emphasizing the ways in which non-human life forms, particularly plants and animals, influence human thought and culture.

3. **Laura Ogden** - **"Swamplife"**: Ogden's research focuses on the Everglades in Florida, examining the entangled lives of humans, animals, and landscapes, and how these relationships shape the perceptions and realities of environmental change and conservation efforts.