Indigenous women’s knowledge is rooted in ancestral understanding of the natural world and the accumulation of observations of local phenomena. The most significant aspect of Indigenous women holding and preserving these traditional knowledge is their holistic approach, which encompasses a wide range of domains beyond mere specialization. They possess an intricate understanding of various species, considering their nutritional value, medicinal properties, and ecological roles. This knowledge, passed down through generations, not only enriches their communities but has been crucial for western science. Indigenous women's insights have often informed Western understandings, leading to the development of medicines and a deeper understanding of climate phenomena such as droughts, floods, and biodiversity migration.

This training will focus on using remote sensing and geospatial data within the NASA-supported UN Biodiversity Lab (UNBL) to take action on national conservation and sustainable development priorities.

Monday, November 1, 11:00 - 12:30 GMT

Although growing evidence demonstrates the primary role of indigenous peoples and local communities in protecting forests and biodiversity, an analysis of climate funds invested over the past 10 years shows that these have not reached the communities where nature protection activities are actually at stake. 

Species Distribution Models (SDMs) play a critical role in biodiversity, conservation, and understanding the potential impacts to ecosystems under changing climate conditions. SDMs contextualize future scenarios based on known or projected ecological parameters and are the cornerstone for adaptive management planning around short- and long-term changes to complex landscapes.