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Accelerated human population growth at protected area edges.

George Wittemyer¹, Paul Elsen, William T Bean

¹Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. georgew@nature.berkeley.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|July 5, 2008

Summary

Protected areas (PAs) attract human settlement, with population growth near PAs nearly double that of rural areas. This finding highlights potential conservation challenges and benefits for local communities.

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Area of Science:

Conservation Science
Human Ecology
Development Studies

Background:

Protected areas (PAs) are often criticized for disproportionately burdening marginalized rural communities with costs and few benefits.
This critique suggests PAs may repel, rather than attract, human populations.
Understanding human settlement patterns around PAs is crucial for effective conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate human population growth rates at the borders of protected areas.
To determine if PAs attract or repel human settlement.
To explore the relationship between conservation funding and population dynamics around PAs.

Main Methods:

Analysis of human population growth rates on the borders of 306 protected areas across 45 countries in Africa and Latin America.
Statistical correlation between population growth and factors like international donor investment and park-related funding.
Comparative analysis across different ecoregions, countries, and continents.

Main Results:

Average human population growth rates near PAs were nearly double the average rural growth rates.
Higher population growth was observed across diverse ecoregions, countries, and continents.
Population growth at PA edges positively correlated with conservation investment and park funding.

Conclusions:

Protected areas appear to attract, rather than repel, human settlement.
The findings suggest PAs may offer benefits to local populations, contrary to some criticisms.
Increased human settlement near PAs poses a significant threat to conservation effectiveness and biodiversity.