Community Forestry
Indigenous territories and governance of forest restoration in the Xingu River (Brazil)BackgroundOpen access copy available |
Indigenous knowledge and forest succession management in the Brazilian Amazon: Contributions to reforestation of degraded areasBackgroundOpen access copy available |
The Restoration of Degraded Lands by Local Communities and Indigenous PeoplesBackgroundLand degradation is a global ecological crisis that threatens biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and human well-being. Over 75% of land worldwide is affected, impacting the livelihoods of 3.2 billion people. Causes include deforestation, desertification, unsustainable agriculture, and climate change. In response, the United Nations launched the “Decade on Ecosystem Restoration” (2021–2030) to promote land restoration and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality. Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) manage a significant portion of intact ecosystems and possess deep ecological knowledge, making them vital actors in restoration efforts. Available with subscription or purchase |
How to Achieve Effective Participation of Communities in the Monitoring of REDD+ Projects: A Case Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)BACKGROUND:The Miombo woodlands of southern Africa represent one of the region's most extensive dry forest ecosystems, spanning several countries and supporting the livelihoods of over 100 million people. These woodlands have undergone significant environmental degradation over recent decades, primarily driven by shifting cultivation, charcoal production, and unsustainable land-use practices. Given their ecological importance and critical role in rural livelihoods, particularly among low-income people, understanding and promoting sustainable management of Miombo woodlands is essential for both environmental conservation and socioeconomic development. Open access copy available |
Automating violence? The anti-politics of ‘smart technology’ in biodiversity conservationBackgroundBiodiversity conservation initiatives, such as the UN's post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (30x30), increasingly use smart technologies. Despite recognizing Indigenous and local rights for successful conservation, these initiatives often neglect customary rights and uses. Smart technologies, like AI, camera traps, and drones, enable new surveillance methods. State, private, and corporate actors, including big tech and BINGOs, actively adopt these tools to enhance data access and form smart governance networks. Open access copy available |
People and Mangroves: Biocultural Utilization of Mangrove Forest Ecosystem in Southeast AsiaBackgroundMangrove forests in Southeast Asia are recognized as biodiverse ecosystems that offer ecological, social, and economic benefits. However, this region also experiences the highest global rates of mangrove loss. This is concerning because the decline of mangrove forests in Southeast Asia potentially leads to the loss of valuable indigenous and local knowledge systems (ILKS) and even the disappearance of ethnic cultures. Open access copy available |
Integrating science-based and local ecological knowledge: a case study of mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Limits to Indigenous Participation: The Agta and the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, the PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Roles of indigenous women in forest conservation: A comparative analysis of two indigenous communities in the PhilippinesBackgroundThis study examines the roles of indigenous women in forest conservation in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: the Ikalahan-Kalanguya of Caraballo Mountain in Carranglan and the Dumagat women of Mount Mingan in Gabaldon. These communities contain the highest number of indigenous people living in or near the forest in the province and have retained indigenous forest preservation practices. Historically, people have considered indigenous peoples in the Philippines, including women, protectors of the environment. However, specific studies focusing on the direct contributions of indigenous women to forest protection are lacking. Open access copy available |
Assessing the effectiveness of the engagement of local people in restoring degraded forest landscapes in leyte and Biliran Provinces, the PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
