Document Type

Research Paper

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

An increased level of plant biodiversity has been observed in urban communities of above average socioeconomic status. This phenomenon was previously termed the luxury effect. This study aimed to identify potential disparities in tree diversity of different communities across Las Vegas and Henderson. Communities were selected based on the zip code’s median income for 2023; this information was gathered from the Healthy Southern Nevada database. Public parks were chosen from a range of zip codes, with trees initially being identified with PictureThis, then cross-referenced with Southern Nevada Water Authority’s regional plant list for validity. Trees were counted, identified, and then categorized based on calculation of Simpson’s Diversity Index. Results showed an overall difference of approximately 0.02 between the lowest and highest zip codes. Overall, diversity index did not linearly increase as median income increased. Results are suggestive of minor spatial variation, but a clear correlation between median household income and tree diversity was not supported by this study. Further work should be directed towards identifying tree diversity in both public spaces and within neighborhoods, as well as identifying other influential socioeconomic variables. Awareness of the biodiversity disparity is important for future efforts in environmental conservation.

Controlled Subject

Biodiversity; Community development, Urban--Environmental aspects; Economics--Sociological aspects

Disciplines

Biodiversity | Economics | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Urban Studies and Planning

File Format

pdf

File Size

1230 KB

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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