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hatrack

(59,584 posts)
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 08:18 AM Apr 2021

How Much Of Planet's Land Area Is Pristine, W. Original Plant/Animal Species Intact? 3%

Just 3% of the world’s 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 world’s land to ecological intactness.

Previous analyses have identified wilderness areas based largely on satellite images and estimated that 20-40% of the Earth’s 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

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How Much Of Planet's Land Area Is Pristine, W. Original Plant/Animal Species Intact? 3% (Original Post) hatrack Apr 2021 OP
And now humans are ramping up space exploration SheltieLover Apr 2021 #1
true, this llashram Apr 2021 #3
Indeed! SheltieLover Apr 2021 #4
It would help Bayard Apr 2021 #2
Agreed!!! SheltieLover Apr 2021 #5

llashram

(6,265 posts)
3. true, this
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 10:22 AM
Apr 2021

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.

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