Note
Respected biologist, E.O. Wilson
noted that there were essentially
three kinds of "wealth"- economic,
cultural and biological (Wilson and
Peters, 1988; Wilson, 1992; Harmon,
1992). As is well known, Wilson and
colleagues proceeded to champion
the fundamental importance of "biological
wealth", and its correlate,
biodiversity (short for biological diversity)
(Reaka-Kudla et al, 1997;
Ehrlich and Wilson, 1991). Debates
could continue indefinitely regarding
which of the three is ascendant
and most relevant to contemporary
society, but would be eventually
futile. Rather, the interconnectedness
of all types of wealth should be
emphasized.