The Human Influence Index Graphics - Pacific Standard

The Human Influence Index Graphics

The Human Influence Index, from the Last of the Wild data set, is a measure of direct human influence on terrestrial ecosystems using the best available data sets on human settlement (population density, built-up areas), access (roads, railroads, navigable rivers, coastline), landscape transformation (land use/land cover) and electric power infrastructure (nighttime lights). Its values range from zero to 64, with zero representing no human influence and 64 representing maximum human influence.

Author:: Miller-McCune Staff
Publish date:: Apr 7, 2009

Here are the Human Influence Index graphics:

Social Justice

The Human Footprint Index, from the Last of the Wild data set, expresses as a percentage the relative human influence in each terrestrial biome. Its values range from zero to 100, with a value of zero representing the least influenced, or 'most wild,' and a value of 100 representing the most influenced, or 'least wild,' part of the biome.

Social Justice

The Last of the Wild graphics, from the Last of the Wild data set, represent the least influenced (most wild) areas of major terrestrial biomes. Most wild in each biome are defined as areas with Human Footprint Index values less than or equal to 10. The maps below show the distribution of what remains the least influenced areas in each biome.

Social Justice

Scientists find that, compared to our closest primate relatives, the landscape of the human brain is exceptionally sensitive to external influences.

Environment

Scientists are from Mars, policymakers are from Venus, and bridging that gap is one of the goals of those designing the Ocean Health Index.

Environment

Oceans are peopled, too! Assessing all of the ways the world’s oceans directly benefit humans is not easy, but it must be done in any honest accounting for the Ocean Health Index.

Education

It's true that much of the scholarship that professors in the humanities produce is micro-focused and barely relevant to larger social concerns. But those academics would also be best served by ignoring that critique.