INDIGENOUS POWER: Native Territories Preserve Amazon Just as Well as Protected Areas — Study...

Researchers analyzing satellite data across Ecuador's Amazon found that Indigenous territories managed without formal conservation contracts maintained forest health comparable to government-protected areas and even outperformed some in showing positive vegetation growth over time. The study tracked three governance models—state-protected forests, community forests under payment-for-ecosystem-services programs, and Indigenous territories allowing subsistence use—measuring vegetation trends, forest disturbances, and resilience to the 2015-2016 El Niño drought. Government-protected forests in northern Ecuador showed the most degradation, with 78.6% of analyzed areas declining in greenness, likely due to decades of oil development and road construction creating persistent pressure despite formal protections. The findings suggest that Indigenous land management and community governance structures may be as effective as traditional protected-area designation for preserving Amazon forest.