Amazonian Bioeconomy: A Systematic Review of Evidence, Typologies, and Development Models

Abstract

The Amazonian bioeconomy has been widely promoted as a strategy capable of reconciling economic development, environmental conservation, and social inclusion. However, its effectiveness as a driver of sustainable development remains a subject of debate. This study aimed to critically analyze the scientific literature on the Amazonian bioeconomy through a systematic review. The research was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, involving searches in international databases and the application of rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in the analysis of 41 scientific articles. The results show that the Amazonian bioeconomy is a heterogeneous field, dominated by extractive practices characterized by low value addition and peripheral integration into global production chains. Although intermediate and innovative initiatives present greater potential for value generation and socio-environmental integration, their expansion is limited by structural challenges, such as infrastructure deficiencies, institutional fragility, and technological dependence. Furthermore, social and environmental benefits do not manifest automatically but are conditioned by governance arrangements and regulatory mechanisms. It is concluded that the Amazonian bioeconomy should be understood as a contingent strategy, whose transformative potential depends on structural changes and the articulation between economic, social, environmental and institutional factors.