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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 2025104The Sense of Atoin Meto In a Landscape of Drought: Understanding Socio-Ecological Dynamics In Southwest TimorMario A. Onggang*, Isnan Fauzi, Lommi D. Kini, Priska M. Manek and Kamello H. DanielInstitute Resource of Governance and Social Changes , Jl. R.W. Monginsidi, Kupang, Indonesia*Corresponding author: marioarnestoonggang@gmail.comAbstractUnderstanding social%u2013ecological interactions through an ethno-ecological perspective requires deep engagement with local norms and cultural frameworks to grasp indigenous conceptions of well-being. This research was based on fieldwork conducted in Kolbano sub-district from November to December 2024. Kolbano was selected due to the impact of certain government policies and the expansion of stone mining activities in the area.Using the socio-ecological systems framework, this paper explores the identity and lived experiences of the Atoin Meto%u2014%u201cthe people of the drylands%u201d%u2014to understand how their attachment to the ecological landscape has evolved over time. Adopting a transdisciplinary approach, the study incorporates biographical narratives gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, alongside micro-climate data derived from land surface temperature, precipitation records, and land use mapping. The Atoin Meto of Southwest Timor have historically adapted to their arid, low-rainfall environment by developing resilient survival strategies. This symbiotic relationship between Kolbano people and their ecological surroundings has shaped their livelihoods and cultural identity. However, shifts in staple food systems and agricultural practices have emerged with the advancement of modern development agendas. What was once a subsistence-oriented agricultural model is increasingly oriented toward income generation. Yet, the region%u2019s limited rainfall and scarce water resources pose significant constraints on sustaining such economic transitions. Framed within the context of environmental justice, this study argues for an expansion of Atoin Meto agency%u2014envisioning alternatives that move beyond extractive and monocultural regimes. It calls for a restorative paradigm grounded in solidarity and sustainability, where the Atoin Meto can reimagine their relationship with the land in ways that honor both cultural heritage and ecological resilience.Key words: social-ecology system, atoin meto, environment justice, abolition movement, microclimate, Kolbano