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148505-3-10-20200421.pdf
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Final Published Version
Affiliation
Univ Arizona, Dept Ecol & Evolutionary BiolIssue Date
2020Keywords
languageslinguistics
traditional knowledge
indigenous people
biodiversity
Mexico
endangered species
extinction
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REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICALCitation
Vidal, O., & Brusca, R. C. (2020). Mexico’s biocultural diversity in peril. Revista de Biología Tropical, 68(2), 669-691.Journal
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICALRights
Copyright © Alonso Miguel Prendas Vega; Omar Vidal, 2020. License: Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 4.0).Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
Introduction: Places with high species diversity have high linguistic diversity, whereas areas with low species diversity tend to have low linguistic diversity. Objective: To characterize the intriguing relationship between biological and cultural diversity, a correlation that has been discussed at a global scale, but here tested for the first time in Mexico. Methods: We compiled exhaustive databases on both endangered species and endangered languages, and reviewed available literature on Mexico's biocultural diversity with a focus on endangered and critically endangered species and languages. Results: With 364 living languages, Mexico is the world's filth most linguistically diverse country, but 64 of these languages are facing a very high risk of disappearance and 13 have already disappeared. Mexico is also the fourth most biologically diverse country, but 1 213 species of its flora and fauna are threatened with extinction and at least 127 species were recently extinct. Conclusions: Indigenous peoples are custodians of much of the world's biocultural diversity. As the world grows less linguistically and culturally diverse, it is also becoming less biologically diverse. Mexico's biological and linguistic diversity show strong geographic overlap, with the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Guerrero, and Michoacan harboring most species and most languages. Similarly, Mexico's biodiversity hotspots mirror language hotspots, and areas with the highest number of endangered species overlap with areas where the endangerment of languages is also the highest.Note
Open access journalISSN
0034-7744EISSN
2215-2075Version
Final published versionae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.15517/RBT.V68I2.40115
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Copyright © Alonso Miguel Prendas Vega; Omar Vidal, 2020. License: Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 4.0).

