A new study published in Nature Communications has revealed that land managed under Indigenous tenure systems is significantly more effective in restoring and maintaining forests than privately owned lands — a finding that strengthens the case for recognizing Indigenous rights as a key strategy in mitigating climate change.
Researchers analyzed over 1.9 million territories across Brazil’s Atlantic Forest from 1985 to 2022, comparing restoration gains and losses under five land tenure regimes: Indigenous territories, Afro-descendant (Quilombola) communities, agrarian-reform settlements, protected areas, and private properties. The study found that Indigenous lands achieved the highest long-term forest restoration gains — averaging 189 hectares more than private properties — and maintained those gains over decades.
“Indigenous territories not only restored more forest, but also preserved it longer,” Rayna Benzeev, the study author from University of California wrote. In contrast, privately owned lands showed lower restoration gains and a higher tendency to experience “restoration reversals” — when restored forests are later cleared again.
Indigenous land management and climate resilience
The findings support growing global evidence that Indigenous land stewardship is one of the most effective forms of climate action.
Unlike private ownership, which often prioritizes short-term economic returns, Indigenous land management is grounded in long-term collective well-being, cultural ties to nature, and sustainable use of natural resources.
“These communities have lived in balance with the forest for generations,” said Rayna again. “Their governance systems emphasize collective responsibility and continuity, which helps keep forests standing and carbon locked in the ground.”
Forests play a crucial role in stabilizing the planet’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide — one of the main greenhouse gases driving global warming. The Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s most threatened tropical ecosystems, stores vast amounts of carbon and supports thousands of species found nowhere else.
By protecting these forests, Indigenous communities effectively slow the accumulation of greenhouse gases, making their territories powerful natural allies in the fight against global warming.
From mountains to oceans, delivered to you. Follow us on Lingkar Bumi WhatsApp Channel.
Broader implications
The study adds weight to a growing call for policymakers to recognize and legally protect Indigenous land rights. According to the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), territories under Indigenous management often experience deforestation rates up to 50% lower than non-Indigenous areas, while storing significantly more carbon.
“Land tenure security is not just a social issue — it’s a climate solution,” the authors noted. “Recognizing Indigenous governance systems can directly enhance carbon storage, biodiversity, and long-term forest resilience.”
However, Indigenous communities still face major challenges, including weak legal recognition, encroachment by mining and agribusiness, and limited access to financial and technical support. Without stronger policy protection, these gains risk being reversed by economic and political pressures.
A lesson beyond Brazil
While the study focused on Brazil, its implications extend worldwide. In Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, Indigenous and local communities manage hundreds of millions of hectares of forest — often with better ecological outcomes than private or state-run lands.
In Indonesia, for example, local groups practicing traditional forest management (hutan adat) have shown similar success in reducing deforestation and maintaining ecosystem services, reinforcing the global relevance of the findings.
As the world races to meet its climate targets under the Paris Agreement, researchers argue that recognizing Indigenous land rights and investing in their governance systems may be one of the most cost-effective and equitable ways to safeguard the planet’s climate. (Sulung Prasetyo)
