Collaborative research networks as a strategy to synthesize knowledge of Amazonian biodiversity

Resende, Bethânia Oliveira and Juen, Leandro and Schietti, Juliana and Baccaro, Fabricio Beggiato and Krempser, Eduardo and Moura Jr., James and Colares, Lucas and Carvalho, Raquel L. and Phillips, Oliver L. and Souza, Gahelyka and Michelan, Thaisa Sala and Ghidini, André Ricardo and Demori, André and Façanha, Bruna Letícia Barreto and Rosa, Clarissa and Venticinque, Eduardo and Bomfim, Francieli and Raseira, Marcelo and Famelli, Shirley and Esquivel-Muelbert, Adriane and Kasseboehmer, Ana Claudia and Fares, Ana Luísa and Ferreira, Anthony Santana and Ribas, Camila Cherem and Castilho, Carolina and Nunes, Cássio Alencar and Andrade, Dárlison F. C. de and Silvério, Divino and Cunha, Erlane José Rodrigues and Antunes, Ettore and Rodrigues, Eva and Silva, Everton and Alves-Martins, Fernanda and Schmidt, Fernando Augusto and Elias, Fernando and Carvalho, Fernando Geraldo de and Vaz-de-Mello, Fernando Z. and Cruz, Gabriel and Palheta, Giovanni and Teodoro, Grazielle and ter Steege, Hans and Albert, James and Nascimento, Jeanne and Brito, Joás and Toledo, José Júlio and Oliveira-Junior, José Max B. and Monteles, Josinete and Arieira, Julia and Stropp, Juliana and Dias-Silva, Karina and Castello, Leandro and Giacomin, Leandro L. and Brasil, Leandro Schlemmer and Calvão, Lenize and Vieira, Letícia and Stegmann, Lis and Montag, Luciano and Santos, Marcos Pérsio Dantas and Silveira, Marcos and Guerrero-Moreno, Mayerly Alexandra and Nascimento, Nathália and Hamada, Neusa and Marini-Filho, Onildo and Melo, Pablo and Ferreira, Palmira and de Marco Júnior, Paulo and Maciel, Rafaella and Pinheiro, Raimunda and Ligeiro, Raphael and Lima, Renato and Martins, Renato and Koroiva, Ricardo and Silva, Rogerio R. and Ribeiro, Sabina and Bernardi Vieira, Thiago and Tagliacollo, Victor Alberto and Ferreira, Victor Rennan Santos and Beiroz, Wallace and Kuikuro, Yuri and Machado França, Filipe (2025) Collaborative research networks as a strategy to synthesize knowledge of Amazonian biodiversity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 292 (2059). ISSN 0962-8452

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Abstract

The Amazon region is critical for maintaining global biodiversity and mitigating climate change; however, it faces escalating threats from deforestation and habitat degradation. Addressing these threats requires evidence-based strategies grounded in investments in science, technology, innovation and collaborative research. The Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) programme plays a central role in advancing scientific and technological progress by establishing collaborative research networks across diverse fields and regions. In this context, we present the INCT in Synthesis of Amazonian Biodiversity (INCT-SynBiAm) as a case study, illustrating how research networks can promote diversity in academia and enhance our understanding of biodiversity in hyperdiverse tropical regions. The SynBiAm network integrates 47 academic and non-academic institutions from Brazil and abroad. Its key objectives are to establish and expand a collaborative initiative for research synthesis in Amazonia, deepen our understanding of biodiversity patterns, threats and drivers in forest and freshwater ecosystems, inform environmental and educational practices and policies, and train future educators, decision-makers and scientists committed to the Amazon’s conservation and sustainability. We outline the INCT programme and demonstrate how the INCT-SynBiAm network can achieve these goals, providing a model for future collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing socio-ecological challenges in tropical regions.