- University: Technische Universität Dresden
- Place of defence: Dresden
- Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge, Scientific Knowledge, Climate Change Adaptation, Forest Management, Knowledge Integration, Two-Eyed Seeing, Integration Pathways
Abstract
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) plays a vital role in sustaining forest ecosystems, yet its integration with Scientific Knowledge (SK) in climate-adaptive forest management remains uneven and shaped by structural, political, and epistemic challenges. This study presents a systematic review of 31 peer-reviewed publications and grey literature (2000–2025) to examine how IK contributes to climate-resilient forest management and to identify the broader conditions that enable or constrain its integration with scientific knowledge. Using inductive - deductive thematic analysis, six interlinked dimensions were assessed: the roles of IK, types of integration initiatives, benefits, constraints, governance politics, and policy recommendations. Findings show that IK enhances biodiversity conservation, fire and water regulation, species regeneration, cultural stewardship, and adaptive livelihood systems. Integration practices span a spectrum from informal, community-driven blending to formal co-management, co-produced modelling, and policy-embedded recognition. Successful integration is most evident where Indigenous rights are comparatively more secure, participatory institutions are strong, long-term trust and co-learning guide collaboration, and culturally grounded tools support dialogue across knowledge systems. Conversely, tenure insecurity, bureaucratic fragmentation, colonial legacies, and the dominance of scientific epistemologies often limit meaningful involvement of Indigenous actors and perspectives. Building on these insights, the study proposes a conceptual analytical framework guided by the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, that contributes to identify some key elements for integration. The framework conceptualizes integration as a layered, relational process shaped by constraints, politics, enabling conditions, and integration pathways, ultimately leading to desired outcomes such as climate-adaptive forest management, social equity, and knowledge pluralism. The results underscore the need for forest policy to bridge indigenous perceptions and scientific assessments by recognizing Indigenous authority and stewardship, strengthening collaborative institutions, and supporting respectful, long-term partnerships.
