Healthy Amazonian forests sustain Indigenous food systems through biodiversity and cultural practices
Original framing: “Author Correction: Healthy forests safeguard traditional wild meat food systems in Amazonia” — Nature
Indigenous communities in Amazonia have long practiced sustainable hunting and forest management, maintaining biodiversity while securing food sovereignty. Their knowledge systems provide critical insights into conservation that are often excluded from mainstream ecological discourse.
Healthy Amazonian forests are not just ecological assets but also cultural and nutritional foundations for Indigenous communities.
The study reveals that Indigenous stewardship is essential to maintaining biodiversity and food sovereignty, yet mainstream narratives often depoliticize these systems by framing them as passive beneficiaries of conservation. By integrating Indigenous knowledge into conservation policy, securing land rights, and supporting community-led initiatives, we can address the structural drivers of deforestation and promote sustainable, culturally grounded food systems. Historical and cross-cultural comparisons further reinforce the need to center Indigenous perspectives in global environmental governance.