Afro-Descendant Lands Reduce Latin America Deforestation Rates
Recent research reveals that Afro-descendant communities in Latin America manage lands with lower deforestation rates than national averages. Their ancestral knowledge and sustainable practices protect biodiversity and store vast amounts of carbon. This marks the urgent need for legal recognition of their territories and inclusion in global environmental policies.
Afro-Descendant Communities and Land Stewardship
Afro-descendant peoples make up nearly 25 per cent of Latin America’s population. Descended from Africans brought during the slave trade, many escaped slavery and settled in remote forested regions. They developed sustainable land management based on ancestral wisdom from Africa. These practices have preserved forests and biodiversity for centuries.
Deforestation Rates Compared to National Norms
A 2025 study published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment quantified deforestation under Afro-descendant stewardship. It found deforestation was 29% lower inside protected areas, 36% lower outside them, and 55% lower along protected area edges compared to country averages. This shows their lands act as strong barriers against forest loss.
Biodiversity and Carbon Storage Significance
Over 57% of Afro-descendant lands rank among the top 5% globally for biodiversity. These areas also store more than 486 million tonnes of irrecoverable carbon. Protecting these forests is vital to combat climate change and preserve species diversity. Their land management sustains both ecological health and local communities.
Challenges of Land Rights and Recognition
Despite their conservation success, Afro-descendant communities face insecure land tenure. In Brazil, 9.1 million hectares remain unrecognised, while Colombia has 1.76 million hectares without legal title. Suriname’s Afro-descendant and Indigenous lands total over 10.5 million hectares lacking formal recognition. This uncertainty threatens their ability to protect these forests.
Calls for Policy and Financial Support
Experts urge governments to legally recognise Afro-descendant territories to secure conservation gains. Increased funding and research are needed to support their sustainable land management. Integrating their ancestral practices into global climate and biodiversity policies can strengthen environmental protection worldwide. Innovative financing and economic opportunities are also essential for community resilience.
Global Environmental Policy Inclusion
Afro-descendant peoples remain underrepresented in international environmental decision-making. Recognising their role is critical to achieving climate and biodiversity goals. Their deep cultural and spiritual connection to the land offers unique insights for sustainable development. Greater political awareness can help shift perceptions from land claimants to conservation leaders.
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