Forest Biodiversity: Celebrating indigenous knowledge and innovation

Why forests matter for people and biodiversity

Forests are home to an estimated 70 million people worldwide - including many Indigenous communities. For 1.6 billion people, forests are a vital source of food, fuel and livelihoods. Moreover, forests provide invaluable services for all of us, such as a regulating function for the climate, clean air and water, or a boost for our mental and physical health.

Forests are also particularly rich in biodiversity. They harbour an estimated 80% of all terrestrial species, including 80% of amphibians, 75% of birds and 68% of mammals. Tropical forests, in particular, host a fascinating array of ecological processes and are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth. Yet, despite their ecological, economic, and social benefits, forests are highly endangered: by fires, pests, droughts, and unprecedented deforestation. In fact, the world is annually losing 10 million hectares of forest to deforestation, and around 35 million hectares to insect damage.

For Indigenous people living in forests, their significance often goes beyond the ‘mere’ provision of livelihoods: They inspire their traditional knowledge, languages, and values, and help them maintain their deep connection with nature. With centuries-old practices for managing forests sustainably, Indigenous communities are also key to protecting them. By following the rhythm of seasons and respecting the balance of the ecosystem, Indigenous people support biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and desertification prevention. Notably, forests within Indigenous territories exhibit lower rates of deforestation and degradation compared to other forest areas. 

According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, handicrafts are a substantial market in Brazil, generating approximately USD 10 billion per year and employing around 10 million people. The case study centres on handicrafts created by Indigenous communities of the Tupi Conservation Mosaic, an area which covers 1.5 million hectares of tropical rainforest and is home to 21 Indigenous Peoples distributed over eight Indigenous territories in the states of Rondônia and Mato Grosso.

The Indigenous artisans create their handicrafts from renewable forest materials, including clay for pots and ceramics, seeds and stones for jewellery, leaves and feathers for baskets and ornaments, as well as various woods, oils, tannins and dyes. The production of these items has minimal impact on species, habitats, and the forest ecosystem. Compared to major threats to the Amazon ecosystem, such as deforestation and forest degradation, overharvesting of species for the handicraft market is relatively rare, although it may occur in some cases (e.g. when increased demand for bird feathers leads to increased harvesting of wild birds).  
 

Nevertheless, much remains to be done to fully value the traditional skills and recognise the contribution of the Indigenous artisans to the conservation and sustainable use of the forest ecosystem. Findings from the BIOTRAILS project indicate important entry points for interventions to enhance social justice and inclusion within the value chain. For example, strengthening producer cooperatives could increase artisans’ pricing power and help address the social and economic inequalities of Indigenous vis-à-vis non-indigenous Brazilians. Similarly, as knowledge and awareness regarding the conditions and impacts of the production of artisanal forest products are not widespread among consumers, building awareness and concern about the environmental and social impacts of the production of these items could increase consumer demand and thus provide further benefits to the producers and their communities.