A global biodiversity use data infrastructure acknowledging indigenous and local knowledge

npj Biodiversity 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Cristiane Julião Pankararu, Irene Teixidor-Toneu, Guillaume Odonne, Frederick Asante, Salomão Bandeira, Ángela M. Barrera-Bello, Francisco Javier Benitez-Capistros, Farid Dahdouh‐Guebas, Eduardo Dalcin, Zoë Honoria Dennehy-Carr, Khady Diallo, Huran Tonalli Drouet-Cruz
+31 more Viviane Stern Fonseca-Kruel, Sandrine Gallois, Sètondé Constant Gnansounou, Amina Juma Hamza, Jean Hugé, Fiona M. Jordan, Raivo Kalle, Md. Nabiul Islam Khan, Inge Kuijper, Carolina Levis, Adriana S. Lima, Giulia Mattalia, William Milliken, Cosmas N. Munga, Nemer E. Narchi, Magdalene N. Ngeve, Samuel Appiah Ofori, Shyam S. Phartyal, Nivaldo Peroni, Samuel Pironon, Jaime Polanía, Julia Prakofjewa, Marciano Toledo Silva, Renata Söukand, Michael B. Thomas, Tiziana Ulian, Yadav Uprety, Ina Vandebroek, Arimatéa C. Ximenes, Sofia Zank, Natália Hanazaki
DOI: 10.1038/s44185-026-00121-0
Cited by: 4
References: 46

Abstract

Many global biodiversity datasets overlook or misrepresent the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and Afro-Descendants (IPLCAD). We propose minimum data and metadata standards for a global data infrastructure on biodiversity knowledge and use, co-designed with IPLCAD, including information on language, community attribution and consent, to ensure data traceability and ethical use. This initiative integrates ancestral and academic sciences to advance inclusive biodiversity governance, addressing historical inequities for global sustainability.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Agriculture Species Distribution and Climate Change Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
npj Biodiversity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
5
Issue
1
Publication date
25 February 2026
Language
EN