More than a quarter of the globe is controlled by indigenous groups

[Judi Lynn]

"Understanding the extent of lands over which indigenous peoples retain traditional connection is critical for several conservation and climate agreements," researcher Stephen Garnett said.

By Brooks Hays | July 16, 2018 at 3:20 PM



July 16 (UPI) -- New research suggests the role of indigenous people in land management and conservation is under appreciated.

According to the new survey, indigenous groups own, use or have management rights over more than a quarter of Earth's land surface. Indigenous groups control approximately 14.6 million square miles.

Roughly 40 percent of Earth's protected terrestrial land consists of acreage controlled by indigenous groups. The new research, published this week in the journal Wildlife Conservation Society, highlights the importance of indigenous groups to land conservation around the globe.

"Understanding the extent of lands over which indigenous peoples retain traditional connection is critical for several conservation and climate agreements," Stephen Garnett, a professor at Charles Darwin University in Australia, said in a news release. "Not until we pulled together the best available published information on Indigenous lands did we really appreciate the extraordinary scale of Indigenous Peoples' ongoing influence."

More:
https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2018/07/16/7971531764388/