• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

		The Nature Conservancy About The Nature Conservancy Leadership Financials Governance Accountability Our History Conservancy Values How We Work Conservation Science Conservation Strategy Success Stories Save of the Week Contact Us

New Study Finds Indigenous Lands Promote Healthier Forests

March 15, 2006

A study by The Nature Conservancy’s Amazon Conservation Program together with the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), one of the largest and most respected indigenous federations in the Amazon, reveals that 74 percent of indigenous lands in the Brazilian Amazon suffer less deforestation than surrounding lands. Thus, indigenous lands are acting as a barrier to the deforestation of nearly 8.64 million acres of tropical rainforest, an area slightly larger than the state of Maryland.

The role indigenous lands play in protecting forests is notable: there are 222 million acres of indigenous lands in Brazil, versus 160.5 million acres of federal protected areas. The study also reveals that deforestation is actually lower in indigenous reserves than in the protected areas system. Largely intact, and among the most biodiverse in the world, indigenous lands are holding the line on deforestation.

The study, which for the first time considers the role of all indigenous lands in the Brazilian Amazon, contained information gathered through a GIS-based model that allows us to visualize potential deforestation in indigenous territories if they were to maintain the same level of destruction as the surrounding region. The study’s parameters consider elements that most contribute to deforestation, like the presence of paved and unpaved roads, accessibility to water and population density.

According to Ana Cristina Barros, the Conservancy’s Brazil country representative, “These results indicate that this is a favorable situation, but this could be reversed if there isn’t support to maintain this current model of utilization.”

For the Conservancy, it is clear that indigenous lands cannot continue to provide such biodiversity protection if there isn’t better support for their natural resource management. “Smaller indigenous lands in regions experiencing strong environmental pressures — such as near cities or roads — are in a less favorable situation than larger indigenous lands located further from these threats,” says Ana Cristina. This study shows that 26 percent of indigenous lands are currently under high risk of deforestation.

The study was carried out over a period of 18 months by staff and scientists from COIAB and TNC, and utilized satellite images along with numerous interviews with indigenous leaders. The results of the study were announced on February 15th during the National Discussion Meeting for the Indigenous People of Brazil, in Brasília, Brazil.

For More Information:

• Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Brazil (Versão em Português)
  The largest country in South America, Brazil’s unparalleled natural treasures include not only the dense tropical rainforests of the Amazon, but also the extensive grasslands of the Cerrado, the unique arid scrublands of the Caatinga, the Atlantic Forest, and the seemingly infinite wetlands of the Pantanal.
• Places We Protect: The Amazon
  Amazônia is recognized as the planet's greatest reserve of life forms. Here the largest continuous expanse of tropical forest on Earth harbors approximately one-third of her species.
• Our Partners: The Nature Conservancy and Indigenous Peoples
  

  Most of the world’s biodiversity exists in areas inhabited by people. Effective conservation cannot be achieved unless the people who live and rely on those lands are an integral part of the conservation process.

• Presidential Message: Listening to Local Voices
  Global priorities can be accomplished only with the active engagement of those who live and work in these places. Conservation can never be imposed or mandated from the outside; it will always emanate from the hearts and minds of local people.
• Nature Conservancy Magazine: The Nature of Marcio Sztutman
  After decades of struggle, most of the Amazon’s indigenous peoples have in recent years gained legal title to their ancestral lands, which compose more than 20 percent of the Amazon Basin. Here, The Nature Conservancy’s liaison to these communities describes his own transition, from São Paulo academic to master of the quiet art of listening.
• How You Can Help: Donate Online to Support Our Efforts
  Your online donation helps us to protect great places in Brazil.
• Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
  Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.