Human activities have always shaped both biological and cultural diversity. An international team led by the University of Vienna has now investigated the link between the threat to species and that to languages. Linguists and biodiversity researchers identified a common key factor: European colonialism. The study has recently been published in the journal People and Nature.
Around one million species and almost 50 per cent of the world's languages are threatened with extinction. A team of researchers led by the University of Vienna with contributions from Utrecht University has compiled a cross-national record of the number of threatened animal species and languages and identified global hotspots where both are particularly at risk. In a second step, they examined the current and historical factors shaping these patterns of threat.
Hotspots of threatened biocultural diversity (species and languages) are found particularly on islands in Oceania and East Asia, such as New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan. Hotspots of animal endangerment are also found in other (sub-)tropical island nations such as Madagascar, Haiti and Mauritius, whilst language endangerment is more concentrated in the Americas, southern Africa and Australia.
European colonialism is a key common factor in the threat
Despite varying hotspots of threat, the results reveal a striking commonality: "Beyond the expected current causes of the loss of biocultural diversity, our models showed that European colonialism has left a lasting impact on the threat to languages and species," says biodiversity researcher and study lead Bernd Lenzner from the University of Vienna.
Regions that were formerly occupied by one or more European powers show the highest levels of threat to both biological and linguistic diversity. "This effect becomes all the more pronounced the longer a particular country was under colonial occupation," adds Lenzner. European colonialism led to profound economic and social changes, for example through the spread of invasive species, introduced diseases and violent conflicts with local communities.
Island regions are particularly at risk
"Islands are particularly vulnerable to the loss of both species and languages," says linguist and lead author Hannes Fellner from the University of Vienna, adding: "Due to their small size, species populations are more vulnerable to disruption from invasive species or habitat loss. Similarly, language communities on islands are often smaller, with fewer active speakers per language. Furthermore, younger generations are increasingly migrating away, which increases the pressure on linguistic diversity."
Advancing globalisation highlights the relevance of the current findings
The study's findings underscore how important it is to understand the historical impacts of human activity. "The effects of the colonial legacy continue to shape both natural and cultural landscapes and influence the patterns of diversity we observe today," summarises Bernd Lenzner. Hannes Fellner adds: "These findings are highly relevant in the context of advancing globalisation, where similar – or even more intense – large-scale interventions in cultural and environmental systems can have long-term consequences that cannot yet be fully foreseen."
Summary:
- An international team led by the University of Vienna has identified global hotspots for species and language endangerment.
- Hotspots of threatened biocultural diversity (species and languages) are found particularly on islands in Oceania and East Asia, such as New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan.
- Hotspots for animal endangerment are also found in other (sub-)tropical island nations such as Madagascar, Haiti and Mauritius, whilst language endangerment is more concentrated in the Americas, southern Africa and Australia.
- A common key factor in the endangerment of species and languages is European colonialism.
- The longer this European occupation lasted, the more pronounced the threat became.
About the University of Vienna:
At the University of Vienna, curiosity has been the core principle of academic life for more than 650 years. For over 650 years the University of Vienna has stood for education, research and innovation. Today, it is ranked among the top 100 and thus the top four per cent of all universities worldwide and is globally connected. With degree programmes covering over 180 disciplines, and more than 10,000 employees we are one of the largest academic institutions in Europe. Here, people from a broad spectrum of disciplines come together to carry out research at the highest level and develop solutions for current and future challenges. Its students and graduates develop reflected and sustainable solutions to complex challenges using innovative spirit and curiosity.
About the Environment and Climate Research Hub at the University of Vienna:
Bernd Lenzner is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research and a member of the University of Vienna's interdisciplinary Environment and Climate Research Hub. This hub brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines to generate high-quality scientific findings that can offer solutions to pressing problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.
Original publication:
Lenzner B, Baumann A, Norder S, Essl F, Fellner H (2026) Legacy effects of European colonialism on hotspots of biocultural diversity threat. People and Nature.
DOI: 10.1002/pan3.70308
