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Economic inequality predicts biodiversity loss.
Gregory M Mikkelson1, Andrew Gonzalez, Garry D Peterson
1McGill School of Environment, Montréal, Québec, Canada. gregory.mikkelson@mcgill.ca
Plos One
|May 17, 2007
Summary
Higher income inequality, measured by the Gini ratio, is linked to increased biodiversity loss in countries and US states. This relationship persists even when accounting for other factors, suggesting economic reforms may aid conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Socioeconomics
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Human activities drive significant biodiversity loss.
- The influence of socioeconomic factors on biodiversity decline is understudied.
- Economic inequality is a potential factor impacting environmental issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between economic inequality and biodiversity loss.
- To determine if income inequality affects the number of threatened or declining species.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data at the country and US state levels.
- Statistical examination of the correlation between the Gini ratio of income inequality and species status.
- Control for variables including biophysical conditions, population size, and per capita GDP/income.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between the Gini ratio and the number of threatened or declining species.
- This association remained robust after controlling for key environmental and socioeconomic variables.
- The findings were consistent across both national and sub-national (US state) analyses.
Conclusions:
- Economic inequality is a significant correlate of biodiversity loss.
- Addressing income inequality may be crucial for effective conservation strategies.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the causal mechanisms linking economic inequality and biodiversity.
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