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Why Warblers Flock to Wealthier Neighborhoods

Summary

In Hillary Rosner's November 21, 2023 article for The New York Times, the ecological impacts of historical systemic racism on urban biodiversity are explored. Referencing the study "Ecological and evolutionary consequences of systemic racism in urban environments" led by Christopher J. Schell, the article discusses the connections between structural racism, features like urban heat islands, and their influence on biodiversity. Urban ecologists, including Madhusudan Katti from North Carolina State University, emphasize the need to consider humans and wildlife together, mitigating issues that affect both. The legacy of redlining, as demonstrated by projects like Mapping Inequality, continues to affect urban landscapes, shaping wildlife distribution. Disparities in wildlife observation and data collection based on socioeconomic factors raise concerns about the reliability of datasets used for conservation planning decisions. The article highlights efforts to address these issues and the potential for urban ecology to make impactful discoveries.

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