Colonialism's legacy drives parallel declines in biodiversity and linguistic diversity globally
Original framing: “How colonialism still shapes extinctions today, from island species losses to disappearing languages” — Phys.org
Indigenous communities have historically maintained biodiversity through language-based ecological knowledge. Their displacement and marginalization during colonial expansion led to the erosion of both linguistic and biological diversity.
The study reveals a systemic link between colonialism, biodiversity loss, and language extinction, showing how historical trauma continues to shape ecological and cultural systems today.
Indigenous communities have long maintained biodiversity through language-based ecological knowledge, yet colonialism disrupted these systems through displacement and marginalization. Cross-culturally, language and biodiversity are deeply interwoven, as seen in Amazonian and Māori traditions. To address these crises, conservation and language policies must be decolonized, incorporating indigenous knowledge and governance. Future modeling must include these insights to create sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions.