On biodiversity and poverty traps

Barrett, Christopher , Travis, Alexander , Dasgupta, Partha

On biodiversity and poverty traps

This article introduces and summarizes a series of articles on biodiversity conservation and poverty traps. It deals in theoretical terms with systems (and coupled) systems thinking and then lays out 4 interlinkages between biodiversity and poverty: dependence on inherently limited natural resources, shared vulnerabilities, failure of social institutions, and unintended consequences and lack of informed adaptive management. The author's conclusion is that instead of "win-win" most options are at best "win-settle". This maybe acceptable and at any rate we need to be careful not to oversell options that claim to do both conservation and development well.

Jon Anderson
IRG/Engility
2013-02-19
PNAS
NAS
  • Journal article
  • Tool/methodology (e.g. legal analysis, value chain analysis, participatory methods, rapid assessment)
  • Meta-analysis of literature
  • Comparative analysis of cases or tools
★★★★
  • Global
  • Fostered innovation, social learning, and adaptive management - [Relevant]
  • Promoted or developed economic strategies for natural resource management - [Relevant]
  • Other (Write In)
systems analysis
  • Environmental/productivity - [Yes]
  • Economic/income generation - [Yes]
  • Lessons learned (Cautionary Tale)
  • Economic - [External or structural policies that influenced success or failure]
  • Resources - [External or structural policies that influenced success or failure]
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