Discover the Luxury Effect: How Wealthy Areas Attract More Wildlife and What It Means for Your Health

For a long time, ecology focused on untouched natural areas, ignoring cities and the people living there. However, in the late 1990s, scientists in Phoenix, Arizona, began to study urban plant life. They took to local neighborhoods, measuring and examining plants while being observed by intrigued residents. Professor Ann Kinzig from Arizona State University remarked, “We had a lot of fun. Little kids loved our measuring wheel.”

This study revealed something surprising: in cities, the distribution of plants didn’t follow traditional ecological patterns based on natural factors like weather and soil. Instead, it seemed closely tied to the wealth of nearby residents.

In 2003, this led to the publication of the “luxury effect” study. This term describes how wealthier neighborhoods in cities tend to have more wildlife and biodiversity. For instance, in Phoenix, increasing household income by $10,000 was linked to a decrease in mean surface temperature—by 0.3°C (0.54°F)—because wealthier residents tended to plant and maintain more vegetation.

The findings from Phoenix sparked further research that showed the luxury effect is not unique to just one city. For instance, a 2023 study found that black-tailed deer in British Columbia preferred wealthier areas. The same effect has been observed in various species around the globe—from plants in North America to birds in Europe and Australia.

Experts are intrigued by this correlation. Jeff Ackley, a regulatory biologist, noted, “When people have the time and resources to do it, they can control what their backyards look like. And for the most part, people seem to like more diverse vegetation.”

Interestingly, the luxury effect expands beyond outdoor gardens. A study found that wealthier homes in Raleigh, North Carolina, had a higher number of insects and spiders—about 100 species on average, which is twice as many as in less wealthy homes. This counters the common belief that wealthier households are cleaner.

Although there hasn’t been extensive research on how the myriad microbes in urban environments are affected by the luxury effect, evidence suggests that poorer populations often face health challenges linked to reduced biodiversity. Exposure to various microorganisms is associated with improved immune health, which may help combat diseases that are increasingly common today.

Dr. James Kinross, a consultant surgeon, explains this disconnect: “There’s something about the way that we build our urban systems that detaches us from nature.” A growing body of research links declines in biodiversity in nature with health issues in humans.

This idea of “nature deficiency” illustrates how the loss of biodiversity in our surroundings can impact our well-being. A study in Finland revealed that teenagers living near biodiverse gardens had fewer allergy and autoimmune problems.

The luxury effect is not just an ecological curiosity; it’s indicative of the social and structural inequalities present in urban environments. Addressing these disparities through the promotion of biodiversity in cities could enhance both our ecosystems and our health.

In a time when biodiversity loss is a pressing issue, understanding these patterns offers insights that could help address both environmental and health challenges moving forward.



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