Indigenous knowledge and forest succession management in the Brazilian Amazon: Contributions to reforestation of degraded areas

Background

Land restoration is increasingly recognized as a global priority, especially in areas managed by Indigenous and local communities. Their deep-rooted ecological knowledge, shaped by generations of interaction with the land, offers valuable insights into sustainable restoration practices. As part of the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), there’s growing momentum to reverse degradation and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality. This is especially urgent given that Indigenous peoples steward a significant share of the world’s remaining healthy ecosystems, many of which are under threat from industrial agriculture, deforestation, and extractive industries.

Goals and Methods

The primary goal is to empower local and indigenous communities by incorporating their traditional knowledge into land restoration projects. The document outlines various restoration strategies tailored to different ecosystems and degradation causes, such as reforestation, re-seeding, conservation tillage, and wetland restoration. Methods include sustainable land management practices developed over generations by indigenous peoples, which are often more adaptable to local conditions. Additionally, the framework stresses the importance of collaborative planning and involving multiple stakeholders to align restoration objectives with the socio-economic goals of local communities.

Conclusions and Takeaways

Effective land restoration depends on meaningful partnerships with the people most connected to the land. Success comes not from treating local communities as implementers of external agendas, but as co-creators of long-term solutions. Combining Indigenous practices with scientific methods strengthens resilience and ensures culturally relevant, place-specific outcomes. Still, challenges persist—particularly around power imbalances and the undervaluing of Indigenous knowledge in formal policy and funding mechanisms. Moving forward requires inclusive governance, transparent benefit-sharing, and continuous dialogue across knowledge systems.