Rainforest protection 'reduces poverty'

Putting rainforest protection measures in place can help to lower poverty levels in some countries, which goes against some commonly held views, according to new research.

Researchers from Georgia State University looked at the lives of people who live near parks and nature reserves set up after 1985 and found that in areas with rainforest protection put in place, poverty levels could be lower.

The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America and focused on Thailand and Costa Rica.

"Because ecosystem protection limits agricultural development and exploitation of natural resources, opposition to protected areas is frequently driven by the assumption that they impose large economic costs and thus exacerbate local poverty," explained the scientists.

Study author Professor Paul Ferraro told the Ecologist that the survey results were "surprising".

Many of the world's rainforest areas are designated national parks and protected areas but this often does little to lower deforestation or illegal clearing.

Written by Kimberley Homer.

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