Arranjos Agroflorestais Terena e Estoque de Carbono: a Experiência das Famílias da Organização Caianas na Terra Indígena Cachoeirinha

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the carbon stock in four agroforestry arrangements implemented by Terena indigenous families in the Cachoeirinha Indigenous Land, Brazil, in order to understand the carbon storage capacity of these agroforests. Theoretical Framework: The importance of indigenous knowledge in addressing climate change is increasingly recognized by the international community. As it is urgent to maintain and reduce the increase in global temperatures, one promising way to do this is to gain a deeper understanding of how these peoples have been managing the environment in which they live, in a process of adaptation and environmental resilience. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises quantifying agroforests by measuring the area, counting and classifying the species of individuals, and using transformed logarithmic equations, which use diameter at breast height, total height, and wood density as predictor variables, aiming to estimate tree biomass. Data collection was carried out through on-site visits. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that the agroforestry systems implemented in the Cachoeirinha Indigenous Territory represent a solid strategy for productive restoration and climate mitigation, combining high carbon sequestration capacity (between 31 and 71 Mg C/ha) with fundamental socioeconomic and cultural functions. Research Implications: The implications of this research provide support for the importance of further research on the capacity and potential of indigenous agroforestry arrangements to store carbon and thereby contribute to addressing climate change. Furthermore, the research data reinforce that the agroforests established by Terena indigenous families are capable of integrating environmental, social, and economic benefits in territories historically impacted by dispossession and environmental degradation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by bringing to light the first case study of the environmental, economic, and social potential of indigenous agroforests in the Brazilian Pantanal region, helping to expand knowledge about the resilience and adaptation of indigenous and traditional peoples in the face of climate change and what lessons and actions can be replicated in other contexts.