Caught in statistical noise: pitfalls of a unidimensional approach to understanding biodiversity-conflict relationships
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The negative impacts of warfare and prolonged human conflict on biodiversity knowledge are noncontroversial. Understanding and inferring their negative causal relationships, although intuitive and inferred in past studies, requires delving into diverse pathways through which conflict might negatively affect the understanding of biodiversity 1 , 2 . In a recent study, Hilario–Husain and colleagues (hereafter “HH”) 3 utilized a spatially explicit analysis to explore relationships between human conflict and biodiversity knowledge on Mindanao Island, southern Philippines. Their findings showed that regions in Mindanao marked by heightened conflict exhibited lower observed species richness, fewer occurrence records, and reduced forest cover. Although the authors advised cautious interpretation, their narrative discusses a negative causal relationship (i.e., impact ) of conflict on biodiversity knowledge and conservation. While we applaud their admirable probing of this important question, we note that several of their conclusions, although intuitive, are likely premature and may require substantial reconsideration, reanalysis, and a more nuanced interpretation.
Source: npj Biodiversity
Authors: Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo, Camila G. Meneses, Andrie Bon A. Flores, Aljohn Jay L. Saavedra, Ace Kevin S. Amarga, Marjorie Delos Angeles, Cristian C. Lucañas, Syrus Cesar P. Decena, Russell Evan L. Venturina, Jay S. Fidelino, Dexcem Pantinople, Al John C. Cabañas, Mark William Herr, Justin M. Bernstein, Kin Onn Chan, Marites B. Sanguila, Neil Aldrin Mallari, Rafe M. Brown, Christian E. Supsup
Institutions: University of Kansas, National Taiwan Normal University, Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Mindanao State University – General Santos, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Visayas State University, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines Diliman, Mississippi State University, Southern Luzon State University, American Museum of Natural History, Father Saturnino Urios University, De La Salle University
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,050
OpenAlex ID: W4410078393