IAS_1.6.7.1_40

Working with Indigenous and local knowledge in the assessment
There is a clear need to work with Indigenous Peoples and local communities on assessments and activities related to biological invasions and invasive alien species. However, Indigenous and local knowledge is still often under-represented in research on biological invasion science, which represents a great loss to overall understanding and capacity to manage biological invasions and control invasive alien species. The IPBES invasive alien species assessment therefore aims to work with Indigenous and local knowledge, and to build its conclusions on the best available science and Indigenous and local knowledge. It recognizes that there are numerous barriers to effectively working with Indigenous and local knowledge in a global-scale assessment, including language, data and information flow, accessibility of information, representation of diverse groups within Indigenous communities, and differing understandings and conceptualizations of risk (e.g., Maclean et al., 2021; Michán, 2011; Muller et al., 2009). To overcome these issues as far as possible, the assessment follows the IPBES approach to recognizing and working with Indigenous and local knowledge (Decision IPBES-5/1, annex II), with the support of the IPBES task force and technical support unit on Indigenous and local knowledge. This work included convening three dedicated workshops on Indigenous and local knowledge that brought together Indigenous Peoples and local communities and assessment authors (IPBES, 2020b, 2020b, 2022b), and the consideration of literature beyond the scientific journals and major invasive alien species databases , including materials received through an online call for contributions for the assessment. Assessment authors also carried out an extensive cross-chapter review of literature on Indigenous and local knowledge. Consideration of free, prior and informed consent was key to this work.