Why conservation planning needs socioeconomic data.

O ver the past century, human population has expanded rapidly, much to the detriment of many other species that coinhabit the earth. There are roughly four times as many people alive now as there were in 1900. Economic activity has increased even more rapidly than population as evidenced by rising standards of living in most parts of the world. The vast expansion of human activity has led to widespread conversion of natural habitat, the spread of exotic invasive species, changes in nutrient f lows, pollution, climate change, and overharvesting. The combined effect of these impacts has put many species at risk of extinction. Projections for continued human population growth and further economic expansion will further increase the risks to biodiversity.