STATISTICAL CORRELATION BETWEEN SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS AND PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS AROUND THE WORLD

ABSTRACT Protected natural areas are important for nature conservation. Nevertheless, some critiques point out that establishing and managing these areas may inhibit socioeconomic development and generate poverty. However, this strategy has presented varying results since some studies show positive effects on human development. The use of development indicators such as the Gross Domestic Product, the Human Development Index, the Gini Index, and the World Happiness Index can favor the understanding of how PNA management and goals may influence human development. This study aimed to correlate the existence of protected natural areas registered in the World Database on Protected Areas with the variables Gross Domestic Product, Human Development Index, Gini Index, and World Happiness Index of each country involved in the research. The correlations were tested for 145 countries through a non-parametric Spearman test. The correlation between the Gross Domestic Product and protected natural area percentage was positive yet nonsignificant. The correlation between the Human Development Index and protected natural area percentage was positive and significant. As for the correlation between the Gini Index and protected natural area percentage, it was negative although non-significant. Regarding the correlation between the World Happiness Index and protected natural area percentage, it was also negative but non-significant These results are possibly due to situational differences among the countries assessed. It is suggested that future studies such as this one be carried out by economically similar countries or regions to better elucidate the links between protected natural areas and socioeconomic development.