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Abstract Traditional harvest entails humans extracting and managing resources from intact, semi‐natural ecosystems. As such, it is inherently comprised of close interactions between humans and ecosystems and may provide unique insight into socio‐ecological systems. Traditional harvest is generally accompanied by traditional resource management and directly influences ecological community dynamics, species reproduction and distribution, and competitive interactions. Meanwhile, ecological processes, seasonality, and natural disturbances influence human behaviors, decision making, activities, and well‐being. As a result of this tight coupling, traditional harvest systems have the potential to serve as important laboratories for the study of ecological community dynamics. Resilience science, in particular, may benefit from greater appreciation of traditional harvest, wherein thresholds and bidirectional feedbacks may be more easily detected and modeled than in more diffuse socio‐ecological systems. Additionally, because traditional harvest links to cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge, a greater understanding of these systems may facilitate efforts to support marginalized communities and social equity. We here discuss the value of traditional harvest research for science and society, highlighting as a case study the traditional harvest of Emory oak acorns by Western Apache Tribal Nations. We argue that traditional harvest systems carry important heuristic value but are often assumed to be rare or declining and are therefore relatively neglected by researchers, yet their persistence in modern agriculture‐dominated systems exemplifies resilience. As environmental change persists and natural systems near critical tipping points, understanding the role of humans in ecosystem resilience will be necessary to develop effective and sustainable management. 

Emory oak (Quercus emoryi) is a cultural keystone species in the southwestern United States, integral to the traditional practices of Western Apache Tribes. Recent observations by Apache elders indicate declining oak seedling recruitment, posing potential risks to the long-term persistence of Emory oak populations and the tradition of acorn harvest. This study investigated seed predation and dispersal patterns of Emory oak acorns across two sites in Arizona. To do this, we combined systematic observations of avian interactions with acorns with experimental feeding trials. We found that acorn infestation rates by insects were positively associated with proximity to roads, suggesting that roads may facilitate pest spread. Jays (Aphelocoma spp.), known for their role as primary oak seed dispersers, were the most frequent pre-dispersal acorn foragers, with visitation rates increasing with tree density and distance from roads. Areas closer to roads experienced reduced jay visitation, potentially hindering seed dispersal and genetic connectivity among oak populations. Post-dispersal acorn predation was dominated by javelina (Tayassu tajacu), with high rates of acorn removal observed at both sites. These cndings underscore the importance of managing both environmental stressors and dispersal mechanisms to support Emory oak regeneration. Restoration efforts, in addition to prioritizing preferred Apache harvest sites near roads, should also include interior habitat patches to maintain seed dispersal by jays, promote genetic diversity, and enhance resilience in the face of environmental change. This study provides actionable insights to guide the management and restoration of Emory oak ecosystems to ensure the continuation of Western Apache harvest traditions into the future. 

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is an understanding of natural systems acquired through long-term human interactions with particular landscapes. Traditional knowledge systems complement western scientific disciplines by providing a holistic assessment of ecosystem dynamics and extending the time horizon of ecological observations. Integration of TEK into land management is a key priority of numerous groups, including the United Nations and US public land management agencies; however, TEK principles have rarely been enshrined in national-level US policy or planning. We review over 20 years of TEK literature to describe key applications of TEK to ecological understanding, conservation, restoration and land management generally. By identifying knowledge gaps, we highlight research avenues to support the integration of TEK into US public land management, in order to enhance conservation approaches and participation of historically underrepresented groups, particularly American Indian Tribes, in the stewardship of ancestral lands critical to the practice of living cultural traditions.