Indigenous territories are facing increasing pressures from numerous legal and illegal activities that are pushing commodity frontiers within their limits, frequently causing severe environmental degradation and threatening indigenous territorial rights and livelihoods. In Central and South America, after nearly three decades of participatory mapping projects, interest is mounting among indigenous peoples in the use of new technologies for community mapping and monitoring as a means of defense against such threats. Since 2014, several innovative projects have been developed and implemented in the region to demonstrate and train indigenous communities in the use of small drones for territorial mapping and monitoring. In this paper, we report on five projects carried out in Peru, Guyana, and Panama. For each one we describe the context, main objectives, positive outcomes, challenges faced, and opportunities ahead. Preliminary results are promising and have gained the interest of many indigenous societies who envision this technology as a powerful tool to protect their territories and strengthen their claims regarding specific environmental liabilities and justice issues. Based on the results presented here and a review of previous similar studies, we offer a critical discussion of some of the main opportunities and challenges that we foresee regarding the use of small drones for indigenous territorial mapping and monitoring. In addition, we elaborate on why a careful, well thought-out, and progressive adoption of drones by indigenous peoples may trigger grassroots innovations in ways conducive to greater environmental justice and sustainability.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (<small>UAVs</small>) are significantly changing the field of remote sensing. Seasoned scholars, enthusiasts, and novices alike are adapting <small>UAVs</small> to better understand our world. In this paper, we provide an overview of the implications of the continued integration of <small>UAVs</small> into civilian remote sensing. Our review suggests that <small>UAV</small> technical capabilities rival that of conventional airborne remote sensing, while the flexibility and agility of <small>UAVs</small> allow these devices to be used to study phenomena not previously possible. While commercially-built <small>UAVs</small> are favored in commercial applications, do-it-yourself forums are allowing scholars to benefit from these devices. But while there is excitement around <small>UAVs</small>, ethical, safety, and privacy concerns continue to linger. Therefore, in urging scholars to embrace <small>UAV</small> technologies, we caution them to take steps to ensure good choices are made so that both humanity and remote sensing can continue to benefit from the presence of these devices.

Hunting remains an important subsistence activity for many indigenous peoples of the Neotropics. This paper describes indigenous hunting patterns using a mixed-methods approach in southern Guyana from a space and place perspective that takes into account both biophysical and cultural/spiritual factors. Findings confirm those of others, that distance from community, mediated by characteristics of the biophysical environment, impacts where hunters go. Mapping of the spiritual landscape, however, demonstrates that sense of place is also important. This paper argues that researchers and managers should be careful to incorporate both the local environmental and cultural/spiritual contexts in studies that inform biodiversity and sustainable resource-use management. ResumenLa cacería persiste como una actividad importante de subsistencia para muchos pueblos indígenas de los neotrópicos. Aquí describimos los patrones de cacería en el sur de Guyana usando un método mixto, desde una perspectiva del espacio y lugar que toma en 214 Journal of Latin American Geography cuenta factores biofísicos y culturales. Nuestros resultados coinciden con los de otros investigadores, en que la distancia del pueblo, mediada por la característica del ambiente físico, afecta las zonas donde actúan los cazadores. Nuestro mapeo del paisaje cultural, demuestra que el 'sentido de lugar' también es importante. Argumentamos que los investigadores y los que manejan estos territorios deben incluir, no solamente el ambiente físico, sino el contexto cultural que forma parte de la biodiversidad y el manejo y uso de los recursos sustentables. Palabras clave: cacería indígena, lugar, Makushi, sistemas de información geográficos

No abstract

No abstract