Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Hannah, L. (Conservation International, Washington, D.C. (USA))
• Lohse, D
• Hutchinson, C
• Carr, J.L
• Lankerani, A

Titel

A preliminary inventory of human disturbance of world ecosystems

Ist Teil von

• Ambio, 1994-07, Vol.23 (4-5), p.246-250

Ort / Verlag

Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Erscheinungsjahr

1994

Link zum Volltext

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Human intervention in natural ecosystems was mapped using a three-category system indicating different levels of anthropogenic disturbance: undisturbed, partially disturbed, and human dominated. Source data were transferred onto a set of 10 equal-area base maps covering the world. The maps were digitized and transferred into a geographic information system for analysis. The surface area of each region and the proportion in each of the three disturbance categories was determined, as well as a derived index of remaining natural habitat. A high habitat index value indicates that natural habitat dominates an area and that human disturbance is slight. A low habitat index value indicates that an area is largely disturbed, with little remaining natural habitat. Nearly 90 million km2of undisturbed land remains on the planet, roughly 52% of earth's terrestrial area. However, the habitable portion of the planet, with areas of rock, ice, and barren land removed, is nearly three-quarters disturbed in some way. The biological significance of the global pattern of disturbance was assessed by examining disturbance categories for the eight biogeographic realms of Udvardy. Methodological advancements of this study over earlier efforts included an improved mapping resolution, an expanded categorization system, and employment of an ecologically-based definition of habitat.