Bridging knowledges through fire: a systematic review of indigenous fire management practices in Brazil

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Abstract
Despite increasing attention following recent catastrophic wildfires in Brazil, research on Indigenous Fire Management remains fragmented across regions and disciplines. This study performed a systematic review, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, to integrate evidence on IFM across Brazilian biomes, practices, and governance contexts. Searches in major databases (1970–2025) yielded 605 records, of which 20 met eligibility criteria. The studies document 95 Indigenous Territories with systematic fire use, mainly in the Cerrado (52%) and Amazon (36%), followed by the Pantanal (7%) and Atlantic Forest (5%). Fire practices were categorized into five functional axes: agricultural (swidden and fallow enrichment), hunting and fruiting (patch-mosaic burning), cultural and ritual (localized low-intensity burns), prevention and territorial defense (prescribed burns, firebreaks, brigades), and ecological/restorative (control of invasive grasses and maintenance of clearings). Evidence indicates that Indigenous-managed fires enhance landscape heterogeneity, reduce fuel continuity, and significantly lower the extent and severity of uncontrolled wildfires, while strengthening food security and territorial governance. Policy analyses reveal a gradual transition from restrictive “zero-fire” policies toward adaptive co-management models led by the Prevfogo/Ibama program and recognition of Indigenous Fire Stewardship. Overall, IFM emerges as a biocultural conservation strategy that aligns ecological dynamics with traditional knowledge and governance systems, offering promising pathways for climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration. Yet, challenges persist, including unstable funding and limited operational support for Indigenous brigades outside the dry season.

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