Abstract: The biodiversity management and utilization in the context of traditional culture of Jinuo nationali-ty, an ethnic group who have been practicing swidden cultivation in Xishuangbanna of SW China for hundred years, are investigated and studied by employing ethnobiological approaches. Through surveying and analyz-ing folk land classification, farmers calendar, swidden cultivation, religious beliefs, non - timber forest product collection and hunting, we gathered plentiful indigenous knowledge of conservation, management and uses of biodiversity in Jinuo society, many of which are potential in modem practice of conservation and uti-lization of biodiversity. The Jinuo people have the tradition to preserve nine types of forests, fig trees and four wildlife species. They gather 23 insect species as food, which are believed to be helpful for pest control. Lo-cal people collect and use 60 ~ 70 plant species for medicinal purposes. We concluded that scientific implies on biodiversity management are involved in traditional culture. The medicinal plants and edible invertebrates collected and used by the Jinuo people are reported here for the first time.

Key words: Jinuo nationality