Assessing Climate Exposures to Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities and the Nature within their Territories in Amazonia

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP & LC) play a vital role in achieving global climate and conservation goals, as their territories overlap with much of the planet's remaining biodiversity and carbon-rich ecosystems. However, significant gaps persist in understanding how climate change currently and prospectively impacts IPs' & LCs' territories. To address this gap, we assessed which IPs' & LCs' territories face the greatest increases in climate exposure to wildfire, heatwaves, coastal and river flooding, and water stress. We then identified where those impacts may threaten natural features (biodiversity, carbon, and ecosystem services) and located opportunity areas for conservation and restoration interventions to reduce climate exposures. Finally, we developed country-specific briefs linking findings to existing policy opportunities, designed to inform equitable decision-making.

Our analyses found that Unrecognized IPs' & LCs' territories were disproportionately represented in optimal conservation networks. The communities in these Unrecognized territories lack legal safeguards for their land. Without formal recognition, their continued stewardship of significant concentrations of the region's natural features remains at risk of degradation by external forces. Geographic patterns revealed suitable areas for conservation and/or restoration in IPs' & LCs' territories that could mitigate multiple exposures while preserving globally relevant natural features. These areas were found in the Guiana Shield in Venezuela, Amazon headwaters in the foothills of the Andes in Peru, and the Bolivian Yungas and Llano Mojos. Global environmental frameworks offer key opportunities to leverage this research in advancing formal recognition of IPs' & LCs' territories, securing direct access to funding, and promoting conservation and restoration solutions.

Acknowledgements

UC Santa Barbara Bren School: Dr. Bruce Kendall, Associate Dean; Dr. Mark Buntaine, Professor; Emma Rigatti, PhD Student; Dr. Robert Heilmayr, Associate Professor

UC Santa Barbara Environmental Studies Department: Dr. Summer Gray, Associate Professor

Conservation International: Dr. Sushma Shrestha, Director, Indigenous Science, Research, and Knowledge; Patrick Roehrdanz, Director of Climate Change and Biodiversity; Carly Siege, Manager, International Policy; Dr. Doug Becker, Postdoctoral Researcher; Dr. Camila Donatti, Senior Director, Climate Change Adaptation; Nick McManus, Associate Scientist, Climate-Smart Planning

Amazonian Indigenous leaders: 9 consulted during the Virtual Knowledge Sharing Session