A balance between protected lands and population growth

Abstract

[Extract] G. Wittenmyer et al. (Reports, "Accelerated human population growth at protected area edges," 4 July 2008, p.123) provide strong evidence that human population growth on the borders of protected areas is greater (nearly double) than average rural growth in African and Latin American countries. What is inferred, but not tested, is that the gazetting of protected areas is the initial trigger for population growth and accompanying deforestation. The authors conclude that the disparity in growth rates is driven by people actively immigrating to edges of established protected areas in response to improved social and economic opportunities. This deduction is important because it suggests that the establishment of protected areas may in fact "exacerbate the same anthropogenic threats to biodiversity it aims to alleviate.