Ethical relationships for biodiversity research and benefit-sharing with Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples hold responsibility for, manage, and own resources and knowledge about plant and animal use, including methods of preparation, storage and management, which is of global economic significance. These peoples’ knowledge of biological and genetic resources already forms the basis for sizeable seed, pharmaceutical and natural product industries. Natural resource management, soil fertility maintenance, stream and coastal conservation and forest and agricultural system models provide viable, time-tested options for sustainable development adapted to microclimate variations and local socio-political ecosystems.