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Global biodiversity conservation and the alleviation of poverty

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 16:38 authored by Turner, WR, Brandon, K, Thomas BrooksThomas Brooks, Gascon, C, Gibbs, HK, Lawrence, KS, Mittermeier, RA, Selig, ER
Poverty and biodiversity loss are two of the world’s dire challenges. Claims of conservation’s contribution to poverty alleviation, however, remain controversial. Here, we assess the flows of ecosystem services provided to people by priority habitats for terrestrial conservation, considering the global distributions of biodiversity, physical factors, and socioeconomic context. We estimate the value of these habitats to the poor, both through direct benefits and through payments for ecosystem services to those stewarding natural habitats. The global potential for biodiversity conservation to support poor communities is high: The top 25% of conservation priority areas could provide 56%–57% of benefits. The aggregate benefits are valued at three times the estimated opportunity costs and exceed $1 per person per day for 331 million of the world’s poorest people. Although trade-offs remain, these results show win–win synergies between conservation and poverty alleviation, indicate that effective financial mechanisms can enhance these synergies, and suggest biodiversity conservation as a fundamental component of sustainable economic development.

History

Publication title

BioScience

Volume

62

Pagination

85-92

ISSN

0006-3568

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

University of California Press * Journals Division

Place of publication

2000 Ctr St, Ste 303, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 American Institute of Biological Sciences

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other environmental management not elsewhere classified

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