[new2628]

This seems to contradict the simple observation that, by and large, the poorer a country the more biodiversity it has.

[SolaceQuantum]

Not necessarily- a poor country with high biodiversity or other natural resources are a known phenomenon [0]. Also, another known issue is that the most polluted rivers are often from developing countries, partially because developed countries are sending their trash there.

[0]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resource_curse

[new2628]

Resource curse is an interesting phenomenon, but I think biodiversity (~ the healthiness/robustness of the remaining natural environment) and e.g. the amount of accessible oil/gas a country has are fundamentally different aspects.