Afro-Descendant Territories Slash Deforestation, Lock in Carbon, Study Shows

Afro-descendant communities offer a living blueprint for Amazon Conservation

Lands managed by Afro-descendant peoples in the Amazon experience dramatically lower deforestation and house some of the planet’s richest ecosystems—showing how centuries-old stewardship can guide global conservation.

Afro-descendant territories slash deforestation, lock in carbon, study shows

Afro-descendant peoples in Latin America have historically been guardians of nature, but their role could be more important than previously estimated. New research carried out in four Amazonian countries — Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname — has revealed that their territories have achieved lower levels of deforestation and greater conservation of biodiversity than other protected areas. The study, funded by Conservation International and p…