Indigenous Territories Match Protected Areas in Amazon

A new study using satellite data has found that Indigenous territories in Ecuador's Amazon maintain forest conditions just as well as formal protected areas. The research compared three forest governance approaches across the region.

Researchers from KU Leuven University analyzed long-term vegetation greenness, abrupt changes from human activity, and forest productivity during the 2015-2016 El Niño drought. They examined government-protected areas, community forests under formal Payment for Ecosystem Services contracts, and Indigenous territories without such agreements.

Community Forests Show Drought Resilience

Forests managed by local communities under formal conservation contracts performed best in some measures, particularly in resilience after the severe drought. These areas operate under programs like Payment for Ecosystem Services, which provide financial incentives for communities to refrain from commercial activities that disturb the natural forest.

Indigenous Territories Hold Their Own

Indigenous territories without similar formal conservation agreements also showed forest condition patterns comparable to the other governance regimes. These communities are permitted to use natural resources for subsistence and cultural preservation. In fact, these territories had the greatest proportion of areas showing positive long-term trends in vegetation greenness.

Lead author Fernando Troya told Mongabay the results suggest conservation is not only about drawing lines on a map. "It is also about governance, local participation, and creating systems that help people manage forests sustainably over the long term," he said.

Government Areas Show More Degradation

The study found the largest proportion of negative long-term vegetation trends, indicating degradation, within forests protected by government institutions. In these areas, extractive activities are prohibited but sustainable use by local communities is allowed. The researchers noted substantial regional differences within this category.

The researchers say the higher degradation in the north could be partly due to greater roads, population pressure, and oil development. "These activities have been shaping the landscape for decades and create continuous pressure on forests, even when those forests remain standing," Troya explained. He added that for forests to continue providing vital services, understanding which management approaches work on the ground is essential.