Weaving the Middle Spaces Between Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation and Ecology

Abstract

Africa's unparalleled biodiversity and cultural heritage are closely tied to Indigenous Peoples (IP) and their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) systems, which offers vital insights into conservation and sustainability. This editorial highlights the active role of African IP in biodiversity conservation and food system resilience, emphasising the urgent need to forge equitable partnerships across knowledge systems rather than subordinating TEK to scientific knowledge (SK). TEK, embedded in centuries of observation and cultural practices, informs ecological processes and sustainable resource use. However, climate change, land dispossession and cultural erosion, among other drivers, threaten these knowledge systems and the communities that uphold them. A collaborative approach that respects Indigenous sovereignty can foster interdisciplinary conservation efforts. This aligns with ongoing efforts at the international scene, such as the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which explicitly recognises the rights of IP, as well as those of other local communities in multiple conservation targets, including land rights, traditional knowledge and access to justice. The challenge remains: How can these international commitments translate into equitable, rights-based conservation on the ground? It is crucial to ensure that conservation policy and practice are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and uphold moral responsibility. Equally important is fostering shared interests between conservationists and IP by engaging in open dialogue about conflicts of interest and building trust with Indigenous communities. By integrating these principles, conservation and ecological sciences can move beyond theoretical commitments to genuine, participatory conservation efforts that respect and sustain IP's stewardship of nature.