A new study in Environmental Science & Policy by researchers at the Faculty of Forestry at University of British Columbia finds that biodiversity thrives on lands managed or co-managed by Indigenous communities. They analysed land and species data from Australis, Brazil and Canada, and found that the total numbers of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles were the highest on Indigenous-manged lands – greater than on protected areas like parks and wildlife reserves.

The study further found that the size of the area and its geographical location did not affect species biodiversity. “This suggests that it’s the land-management practices of many Indigenous communities that are keeping species numbers high,” said lead author of the study Richard Schuster, in an interview for UBC.

Often Indigenous communities are excluded from using lands on which they previously relied when these lands are designated as protected areas. The research shows the importance of collaborating with Indigenous communities, governments and land stewards to protect biodiversity.