No basis for claim that 80% of biodiversity is found in Indigenous territories
A commentary disputes the claim that 80% of biodiversity is in Indigenous territories, stating it lacks scientific backing and urging the conservation community to focus on evidence of Indigenous contributions.
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A recent commentary challenges the widely cited claim that 80% of the world's biodiversity is found in Indigenous territories, asserting that this statistic lacks scientific support and could undermine conservation efforts. The authors, who include researchers and Indigenous representatives, argue that while Indigenous Peoples play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, the specific figure is based on misinterpretations and has been propagated without proper verification. The claim appears to have originated from a 2002 UN report and has since been cited in various academic and media contexts, leading to its widespread acceptance. However, the authors emphasize that biodiversity cannot be easily quantified or mapped globally, and many species remain undescribed, complicating any assertions about biodiversity distribution. They call for the global conservation community to abandon the 80% claim and instead recognize the significant contributions of Indigenous Peoples based on available evidence. The commentary highlights that Indigenous Peoples manage or hold rights over a substantial portion of the Earth's land, which intersects with many natural habitats, underscoring their importance in global conservation strategies.
- The claim that 80% of biodiversity is found in Indigenous territories is unsupported and potentially harmful.
- The statistic originated from misinterpretations of earlier reports and has been widely misquoted.
- Biodiversity is complex and cannot be easily quantified or mapped globally.
- Indigenous Peoples manage significant portions of the Earth's land, crucial for biodiversity conservation.
- The conservation community is urged to focus on evidence-based recognition of Indigenous contributions.
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