Global restoration initiatives often prioritize the number of trees planted, overlooking challenges in ensuring their survival and adaptation to climate change. A commentary highlights the critical role of place-based knowledge held by Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in Southeast Asia.
IPLCs’ generational familiarity with local species, landscapes, and ecological rhythms makes them essential partners in collecting, storing, and caring for plant propagules and seedlings. This expertise can lead to higher survival rates and more resilient forest stands, strengthening overall restoration outcomes.
Source: Mongabay