Urbanization as a threat to biodiversity: trophic theory, economic geography, and implications for conservation land acquisition

Abstract

Habitat loss is often cited as the primary cause of species endangerment in the United States, followed by invasive species, pollution, and direct take. Urbanization, one type of habitat loss, is the leading cause of species endangerment in the contiguous United States and entails a relatively thorough transformation from the "economy of nature" to the human economy. Principles of economic geography indicate that urbanization will continue as a function of economic growth, while principles of conservation biology indicate that the most thorough competitive exclusion occurs in urban areas. These findings suggest the need for an ecologically macroeconomic approach to conservation land acquisition strategies.

Parent Publication

• Policies for managing urban growth and landscape change: a key to conservation in the 21st century

Citation

Czech, Brian. 2005. Urbanization as a threat to biodiversity: trophic theory, economic geography, and implications for conservation land acquisition. In: Bengston, David N., tech. ed. Policies for managing urban growth and landscape change: a key to conservation in the 21st century. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-265. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 8-13