Fundamental and diverse contributions by Indigenous Peoples to the protection and maintenance of biodiversity are undermined by oversimplified statistics

A commonly-used statistic on Indigenous peoples’ role in biodiversity conservation is not backed by science, finds a new article published in Nature.

Indigenous Peoples play critical roles in protecting biodiversity, but their efforts are often misunderstood and undervalued. Staff from the Forest Peoples Programme recently co-authored an article challenging the wide-spread use of the claim that "80% of the world's biodiversity is found in Indigenous territories." The article argues that this figure lacks concrete evidence and oversimplifies a complex issue, devaluing the intricate relationships between Indigenous Peoples and their territories.  

The article, published in Nature, and co-authored by indigenous representatives found that the 80% claim comes from misquoted and poorly summarized research. Indigenous territories are essential for biodiversity, there is no doubt, but trying to assign a single number to their impact is misleading. Biodiversity is about more than just counting species; it involves deep connections between humans, nature, and culture, which can’t be easily measured. 

 

“Biological and cultural diversity on ancestral lands and waters of Indigenous Peoples have co-evolved over time underpinned by living reciprocal, kinship, and sacred relationships”, adds Joji Cariño, a senior policy advisor at the Forest Peoples Programme and co-author of the Nature article.  

 

The article urges scientists and advocates to stop using this figure, as it misrepresents and narrows the true contributions of Indigenous Peoples. This is critically important as we approach COP16 where monitoring of the implementation of the new global commitments on biodiversity is a key agenda item, and where Indigenous representatives will be advocating for direct  self-reporting of their contributions.  

 

"There is ample evidence that Indigenous Peoples and their territories are essential to the world’s biodiversity, rendering the use of an unsupported statistic such as the ‘80% figure’ unnecessary" states Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares, a scientist at ICTA-UAB and author of numerous articles on the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to global biodiversity maintenance.  

“Recognition in policy circles that Indigenous Peoples play fundamental roles in supporting planetary sustainability will be stronger if based on robust evidence”, he emphasizes. 

 

The article's aim is to raise awareness of the danger of using a statistic that isn’t backed by evidence, which could be used to devalue Indigenous stewardship.  

Indigenous Peoples' knowledge and values have long been overlooked in conservation science, and the study calls for better collaboration between Indigenous communities and scientists to protect biodiversity more effectively.  

 

"There are important gaps in biodiversity-related knowledge because Indigenous Peoples’ values, perspectives and knowledge systems have been largely ignored in conservation science. A truthful, multiple evidence-based approach of collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and conservation scientists is urgently needed", concludes Pernilla Malmer, senior adviser at the SwedBio programme of the Stockholm Resilience Centre. 

 

By respecting Indigenous perspectives, we can create fairer and more successful conservation efforts. Our collective focus should now be on advancing and highlighting the real and diverse experiences and contributions that Indigenous Peoples offer us all in addressing the threats that our planet faces.

For more information: 

• Original article in Nature
• Nature’s follow-on editorial
• Nature Podcast