DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Amazonian BioTechQuilombo - Amazonian Biodiversity, Technology Assessment and Knowledge Exchange with Quilombos

Project disclaimer

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Description

Our research project stands at the forefront of integrating traditional Quilombola knowledge with cutting-edge scientific methodologies to address critical biodiversity challenges in Brazil's Amazon region. This collaborative effort aims to not only meet but exceed the Official Development Assistance (ODA) requirements of the funding opportunity, embodying a holistic approach that recognizes and values the diverse ways of knowing. Our aim is to diagnose and analyse biodiversity data gaps by integrating traditional Quilombola community knowledge and technologies in various conservation areas of the Amazon. These communities, rooted in their specific relationships to land, territory, ancestry, traditions, and cultural practices, provide invaluable insights into the preservation of natural ecosystems and their resilience to environmental challenges such as deforestation, land use expansion, and climate change. Brazil is the primary beneficiary of our research activities, given the critical importance of the Amazon region in global biodiversity and environmental sustainability. The encroachment of deforestation into various Quilombolas territories serves as compelling evidence of the urgent need to integrate their traditional knowledge with state-of-the-art technologies to address biodiversity loss and promote sustainable practices. Our project combines traditional Quilombola knowledge with advanced technologies such as environmental DNA (eDNA), remote sensing, and artificial intelligence (AI) to comprehensively record biota and characterise landscapes. By engaging Quilombola communities as active partners in the research process, we ensure the effectiveness and cultural relevance of our conservation efforts. Our methodology leverages the convergence of these advanced technologies to map and understand biodiversity across numerous taxa, including mammals, aquatic fauna, birds, and trees. This integration of diverse methodologies not only ensures an internationally excellent standard of research but also fosters collaborations and knowledge exchange among diverse communities. We have identified clear pathways to impact that prioritise community participatory-based biodiversity assessment within Quilombola territories and adjacent areas. By co-developing and validating automated frameworks for biodiversity assessment and monitoring with Quilombola communities, we empower them to actively participate in research and conservation efforts, thereby promoting a participatory and inclusive approach to sustainable development. The expected impact of this biodiversity monitoring framework will be to inform conservation policies and sustainable management. In summary, our project embodies a transformative vision that celebrates the convergence of different epistemologies, leading to new insights and solutions to the environmental challenges facing Brazil and the global community. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative methodologies, we aim to combine scientific methods with traditional knowledge to strengthen the role of traditional Quilombola communities in biodiversity conservation and make an important contribution to the preservation of Brazil's invaluable natural heritage.

Objectives

ISPF aims to foster prosperity by solving shared global research and innovation challenges. This will be done through working closely with international partners to: support research excellence and build the knowledge and technology of tomorrow strengthen ties with international partners that share our values; enable researchers and innovators to cultivate connections, follow their curiosity and pioneer transformations internationally, for the good of the planet. Activities under ISPF ODA aim to deliver research and innovation partnerships with low- and middle-income countries.

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Location

The country, countries or regions that benefit from this Programme.

Brazil

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