Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumHow Much Of Planet's Land Area Is Pristine, W. Original Plant/Animal Species Intact? 3%
Just 3% of the worlds land remains ecologically intact with healthy populations of all its original animals and undisturbed habitat, a study suggests.
These fragments of wilderness undamaged by human activities are mainly in parts of the Amazon and Congo tropical forests, east Siberian and northern Canadian forests and tundra, and the Sahara. Invasive alien species including cats, foxes, rabbits, goats and camels have had a major impact on native species in Australia, with the study finding no intact areas left. The researchers suggest reintroducing a small number of important species to some damaged areas, such as elephants or wolves a move that could restore up to 20% of the worlds land to ecological intactness.
Previous analyses have identified wilderness areas based largely on satellite images and estimated that 20-40% of the Earths surface is little affected by humans. However, the scientists behind the new study argue that forests, savannah and tundra can appear intact from above but that, on the ground, vital species are missing. Elephants, for example, spread seeds and create important clearings in forests, while wolves can control populations of deer and elk.
The new assessment combines maps of human damage to habitat with maps showing where animals have disappeared from their original ranges or are too few in number to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Some scientists said the new analysis underestimates the intact areas, because the ranges of animals centuries ago are poorly known and the new maps do not take account of the impacts of the climate crisis, which is changing the ranges of species.
EDIT
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/15/just-3-of-worlds-ecosystems-remain-intact-study-suggests
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Looking for a new planet to destroy!
llashram
(6,265 posts)those who survive the destruction of this planet by going to Mars will end up doing this very thing. We are a destructive species. Earth's slow demise, because of greed and pursuits of power and control over their fellow human beings is proof. Even though those doing the most damage are going to be destroyed also. I just don't get it. But maybe that's the way it's designed.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Unconscionable that corporatists are allowed to destroy our beautiful planet.
Bayard
(22,062 posts)If the blood thirsty would stop killing off the wolves.