People have shaped most of terrestrial nature for at least 12,000 years
Overview
Paper Summary
The study finds that human societies have shaped nearly three-quarters of Earth's land for at least 12,000 years, challenging the notion of pristine wilderness. The current biodiversity crisis is primarily driven by appropriation and intensification of land use in already inhabited areas rather than the conversion of untouched ecosystems, suggesting that incorporating Indigenous and local community stewardship is essential for effective conservation.
Explain Like I'm Five
Scientists found that people have changed almost all of nature's land for thousands and thousands of years, meaning there's hardly any truly wild places left. We can help protect nature by listening to the people who live there.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
This study provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the long-term human impact on terrestrial nature. The use of updated global datasets and improved spatial analysis techniques strengthens the results. While the study acknowledges some limitations of the data and methodology, the overall findings are compelling and contribute significantly to the ongoing debate about the Anthropocene and conservation strategies.
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