Interdependencies between Indigenous peoples, local communities, and freshwater systems in a changing Amazon

Abstract

Globally, Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPs and LCs) are fighting for the recognition of their knowledge and decision‐making authority in freshwater conservation. In the Amazon, decision‐making around freshwater management and conservation has often overlooked Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) and the connections between sociocultural and freshwater systems. We explored interdependencies between IPs and LCs and freshwaters in the Amazonian region through a narrative review of the academic peer‐reviewed literature. The review process involved 2 phases: an initial scoping phase, which included the analysis of a large number of articles to identify main topics and develop research questions, and the review of a subset of 187 articles published from 2018 to 2022. We found that 178 studies were carried out in the Brazilian, Peruvian, and/or Bolivian Amazon, and 26 studies were conducted in other countries. A total of 60 studies focused on riverine communities and among them, 16 Indigenous groups were mentioned in 51 articles. Most studies ( n = 148) emphasized the connections between water quality, fisheries, food security, health, and livelihoods. There was a paucity of studies conducted by IPs and LCs that had Indigenous or local community members among the authors. Recent studies highlighted the active role of IPs and LCs in leading community‐based management efforts. We found innovative freshwater conservation and management experiences led by IPs and LCs, that effectively conserved freshwater biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods. Our findings support inclusive and equitable freshwater conservation policies and practices in the Amazon and beyond, by showing the crucial role of IPs and LCs in managing and protecting freshwater resources.

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