Approaches and methods used to bring together Indigenous and Environmental Science Knowledge in environmental research: A systematic map

The bringing together of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and Environmental
Science Knowledge (ESK) in environmental research has the potential to
strengthen ecological understanding, inform management decisions, and
support Indigenous environmental stewardship. While previous studies have
explored aspects of how these knowledge systems are brought together—such
as the guiding principles, research design, and methods for collecting
information—the ways in which IK and ESK are combined at the data level
remain poorly documented. Without a clear understanding of what happens
when data from these knowledge systems are linked—how it is combined,
analysed, and interpreted—it is difficult to assess various aspects of the
outcome of these efforts. This highlights the need to systematically map
and describe the approaches and methods used to weave or link IK-ESK
datasets in environmental research.  A systematic mapping
protocol was applied to identify, gather, and review English-language
peer-reviewed literature on environmental research that links IK and ESK.
Two hundred ninety articles were identified and included in the systematic
map database and analyzed for trends in geographic distribution, data
collection methods, study aims and objectives, and knowledge weaving or
linking approaches.  The systematic map reveals that research
linking IK and ESK is geographically concentrated in Canada, the United
States, and Brazil, with relatively fewer studies in Africa and Europe.
Linking is most often framed as a means to enhance understanding of
environmental topics, but reported efforts to assess the quality or
validity of IK in relation to ESK remain present. Linking approaches were
most often statistical or narrative, with the transformation of IK from
qualitative to quantitative formats being common. A notable finding is the
lack of consistency in how and where the process of linking is described
across studies.  Practical implication: By summarizing the
extent, nature, and range of studies linking IK and ESK, this systematic
map highlights patterns and gaps in methodology, reporting, and
epistemological considerations. As the first global overview focused on
dataset-level combination, this work provides a starting point for
reflection and discussion and offers insights to support more transparent,
rigorous, and culturally respectful approaches to combining knowledge
systems in future environmental research.