The Amazon, the largest and most biodiverse tropical forest on the planet, continues to be a territory largely unknown to science. However, what is a mystery to many researchers is part of the daily life of the traditional communities that inhabit the region. Indigenous peoples, rubber tappers, and riverside communities possess vast knowledge about the ecosystems in which they live, contributing with sustainable practices that favor biodiversity conservation.
The wisdom of these communities is reflected in species identification, natural resource management, and the understanding of ecological interactions. Their knowledge, far from being merely empirical, is based on centuries of observation and direct experience. However, despite its importance, this knowledge is often underestimated in academic and environmental management circles.
The relationship between riverside communities and researchers has historically been complex. While academic knowledge seeks to systematize data through the scientific method, traditional knowledge is built on direct experience with the environment. However, when scientists dismiss local knowledge, it generates distrust and a sense of invisibility in the communities.
Examples such as the discovery of the pygmy tapir (Tapirus kabomani) in 2013, which was already well known to the region’s inhabitants, only serve to demonstrate the need to integrate both forms of knowledge. Likewise, the community management of the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) demonstrates how traditional practices can contribute to conservation and sustainable development, allowing for the recovery of species and income generation.
The Amazon possesses a rich biodiversity.
A Collaborative Approach
The conservation of the Amazon cannot be conceived without the active participation of those who inhabit it. It is essential that research processes and decision-making include the voices of local communities. Respecting and valuing traditional knowledge not only strengthens conservation strategies but also promotes social justice and the recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights.
The future of the Amazon depends on the ability to build bridges between science and ancestral knowledge. Integrating both perspectives will ensure more effective resource management and a sustainable conservation model, where biodiversity and culture coexist harmoniously.
Endangered primate of the Amazon
Ingenious Solution: Hanging Bridges in the Amazon to Protect Primates
The hanging bridges are designed to mimic the natural conditions of the Amazon canopy, facilitating the safe transit of primates. Some incorporate elements such as zip lines, optimizing the mobility of arboreal species. The project’s effectiveness is supported by scientific data obtained through camera traps, confirming the frequent use of these structures by animals, thus aiding Amazonian biodiversity.
The success of the Reconnect project led to its replication in other regions of Brazil, including the state of Mato Grosso. Additionally, Fernanda Abra and her team received the 2024 Whitley Nature Award, an international recognition highlighting their impact on Amazon biodiversity conservation.
This initiative represents an innovative model for wildlife protection in fragmented ecosystems, demonstrating that the combination of science, technology, and traditional knowledge can generate effective solutions to preserve Amazonian and global biodiversity.
Source: Maria Cunha, João Campos-Silva, Camila Duarte Ritter/Latinoamérica21.
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