Integrating Local Knowledge, Camera Trap Data, and Community Governance to Assess and Mitigate Hunting Impacts in Amazonian Sustainable Use Reserves

Sustainable Use Reserves (SURs) in the Brazilian Amazon aim to balance biodiversity conservation with subsistence resource use. Yet, the sustainability of game hunting in these areas remains uncertain. This study synthesizes findings from a conservation initiative that combined local ecological knowledge (LEK), camera trap (CT) data, and community-based governance to evaluate hunting impacts across nine SURs and adjacent communities. LEK collected from 211 hunters in 93 communities indicated that game populations are perceived as more abundant in floodplain-rich areas far from urban centers, with lower perceived defaunation of harvest-sensitive species. Complementary CT data from 720 deployments near 100 communities confirmed wildlife declines within a 5-km radius of settlements, with proximity to communities and urban influence as key drivers. Availability of aquatic protein partially mitigated declines for some species, while local protection status enhanced species richness and abundance. Additional CT data revealed behavioral shifts, with certain species becoming more nocturnal or altering activity patterns near human settlements and urbanized areas. Comparative analysis of LEK and CT methods showed strong correlation, particularly for large-bodied, sensitive species such as Tapirus terrestris and Tayassu pecari, which were depleted up to 15 km from communities. LEK proved especially effective for identifying spatial depletion patterns, underscoring its value in low-governance contexts. A case study in the Riozinho da Liberdade Reserve highlighted the potential of community-led hunting regulations. Following CT-based evidence of negative impacts from hunting with dogs, local stakeholders voluntarily banned this practice, improving wildlife outcomes and reinforcing governance. These findings advocate for integrated monitoring approaches and participatory management to enhance the sustainability of subsistence hunting in tropical SURs. Strategies should prioritize reducing urban wild meat demand, managing aquatic protein sources, and empowering local communities through evidence-based decision-making. This research underscores the urgent need for collaborative conservation strategies that integrate science, policy, and traditional knowledge. This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, grant number 2017/08461-8).