Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty?
Abstract Background There is an explicit assumption in international policy statements that biodiversity can help in efforts to tackle global poverty. This systematic map was stimulated by an interest in better understanding the evidence behind this assumption by disaggregating the terms and asking...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2014-02-01
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| Series: | Environmental Evidence |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-2382-3-3 |
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| author | Dilys Roe Max Fancourt Chris Sandbrook Mxolisi Sibanda Alessandra Giuliani Andrew Gordon-Maclean |
| author_facet | Dilys Roe Max Fancourt Chris Sandbrook Mxolisi Sibanda Alessandra Giuliani Andrew Gordon-Maclean |
| author_sort | Dilys Roe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is an explicit assumption in international policy statements that biodiversity can help in efforts to tackle global poverty. This systematic map was stimulated by an interest in better understanding the evidence behind this assumption by disaggregating the terms and asking - as our review question - which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? Methods We employed a search strategy that covered peer-reviewed and grey literature. Relevant studies included in the map were those that described an interaction by poor people with biodiversity in non-OECD countries and documented some kind of contribution (positive or negative) to different aspects of their well-being. Results A total of 387 studies were included in the final systematic map. Of these 248 met our additional criteria that studies should include a measure of the contribution to poverty alleviation. The studies were widely distributed geographically. Ecological distribution was less well spread, however, with the largest number of studies focussed on forests. We found studies addressing 12 different dimensions of poverty/well-being – although the most commonly studied was income. Similarly we found studies addressing all levels of biodiversity from genes to ecosystems. The largest number of studies was focussed on groups of resources – particularly non-timber forest products. In most cases, abundance was the attribute that made biodiversity important for poverty alleviation/well-being, while diversity was the least frequently noted attribute. Conclusions The map highlights a number of apparent gaps in the evidence base. Very few studies documented any causal link between use of biodiversity and an impact on poverty. In the majority of the studies biodiversity was framed in terms of its value as a resource – in the form of specific goods that can be used to generate tangible benefits such as cash, food fuel. Very few studies explored the underpinning role of biodiversity in ecosystem service delivery for poverty alleviation, and fewer investigated the benefits of diversity as a form of insurance or adaptive capacity. This is where we suggest research should be prioritised. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:44:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ac445dfcccbc4fcfb4437a587c3eef61 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2047-2382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:44:50Z |
| publishDate | 2014-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Evidence |
| spelling | doaj.art-ac445dfcccbc4fcfb4437a587c3eef612023-07-09T11:06:36ZengBMCEnvironmental Evidence2047-23822014-02-013111510.1186/2047-2382-3-3Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty?Dilys Roe0Max Fancourt1Chris Sandbrook2Mxolisi Sibanda3Alessandra Giuliani4Andrew Gordon-Maclean5International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)Abstract Background There is an explicit assumption in international policy statements that biodiversity can help in efforts to tackle global poverty. This systematic map was stimulated by an interest in better understanding the evidence behind this assumption by disaggregating the terms and asking - as our review question - which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? Methods We employed a search strategy that covered peer-reviewed and grey literature. Relevant studies included in the map were those that described an interaction by poor people with biodiversity in non-OECD countries and documented some kind of contribution (positive or negative) to different aspects of their well-being. Results A total of 387 studies were included in the final systematic map. Of these 248 met our additional criteria that studies should include a measure of the contribution to poverty alleviation. The studies were widely distributed geographically. Ecological distribution was less well spread, however, with the largest number of studies focussed on forests. We found studies addressing 12 different dimensions of poverty/well-being – although the most commonly studied was income. Similarly we found studies addressing all levels of biodiversity from genes to ecosystems. The largest number of studies was focussed on groups of resources – particularly non-timber forest products. In most cases, abundance was the attribute that made biodiversity important for poverty alleviation/well-being, while diversity was the least frequently noted attribute. Conclusions The map highlights a number of apparent gaps in the evidence base. Very few studies documented any causal link between use of biodiversity and an impact on poverty. In the majority of the studies biodiversity was framed in terms of its value as a resource – in the form of specific goods that can be used to generate tangible benefits such as cash, food fuel. Very few studies explored the underpinning role of biodiversity in ecosystem service delivery for poverty alleviation, and fewer investigated the benefits of diversity as a form of insurance or adaptive capacity. This is where we suggest research should be prioritised.https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-2382-3-3BiodiversityNature conservationWildlife conservationPovertyLivelihoods |
| spellingShingle | Dilys Roe Max Fancourt Chris Sandbrook Mxolisi Sibanda Alessandra Giuliani Andrew Gordon-Maclean Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? Environmental Evidence Biodiversity Nature conservation Wildlife conservation Poverty Livelihoods |
| title | Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? |
| title_full | Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? |
| title_fullStr | Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? |
| title_short | Which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty? |
| title_sort | which components or attributes of biodiversity influence which dimensions of poverty |
| topic | Biodiversity Nature conservation Wildlife conservation Poverty Livelihoods |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-2382-3-3 |
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