Decoding the complex processes of local ecological knowledge loss or retention worldwide

Global biodiversity loss and accelerating socio-environmental change are reshaping human–nature interactions worldwide, with profound implications for the persistence of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK). As recognized in the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment, addressing these challenges requires not only ecological action but also an understanding of how knowledge systems themselves are transformed. Yet the processes through which LEK erodes or persists remain highly complex and uneven, making systematic global analysis both necessary and timely. Drawing on over 400 case studies from diverse regions, this research uses Sequential Rule Mining (SRM) to decode the underlying mechanisms that drive the loss or retention of LEK in each study. Our study provides quantitative and qualitative evidences on the complexity of the global drivers, and emphasizes that cultural and institutional environments fundamentally shape how communities experience and navigate change. While top-down governance, market integration, and scientific-centric validation frameworks often accelerate LEK erosion, our findings also demonstrate that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not passive recipients of external pressures. In many cases, they actively adapt, reorganize practices, and strengthen cultural identities in response to social and ecological disruptions. Such agency, expressed through community-led initiatives, cultural revitalization, and hybrid knowledge practices, plays a critical role in sustaining LEK and maintaining strong connections with place. These insights highlight that the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss extend beyond ecological degradation to include disruptions to knowledge systems, cultural continuity, and decision-making power. They also show that LEK retention cannot be fully understood through narrow or hierarchical knowledge frameworks. Instead, more inclusive and pluralistic approaches — recognizing local agency, relational values, and diverse modes of environmental expertise — are essential for designing governance arrangements that support just and sustainable socio-ecological futures. By illuminating the complex and dynamic pathways through which LEK is lost, transformed, or sustained, this study provides an evidence base for rethinking biodiversity governance. It underscores that empowering local communities and embedding diverse knowledge systems into policy processes are not only culturally important but also transformative strategies for strengthening resilience in an era of rapid global change.