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Exploring Human-Dominated Ecosystems: Anthropogenic Biomes

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Exploring anthropogenic biomes, or anthromes, reveals how human activities have transformed Earth's terrestrial environments. These biomes integrate human impact with natural factors, encompassing urban areas, agricultural lands, and regions in ecological recovery. The concept underscores humans as a major ecological force, with our actions altering landscapes and natural processes. This understanding is crucial for effective ecosystem management and conservation strategies.

Exploring Human-Dominated Ecosystems: Anthropogenic Biomes

Anthropogenic biomes, or anthromes for short, represent a modern classification of Earth's terrestrial environments that integrates the significant impact of human activity on ecosystems. These biomes are defined not solely by natural factors such as climate and vegetation but also by the enduring influence of human land use and management. Anthromes are diverse, ranging from densely populated urban areas to agricultural lands and even regions in ecological recovery. This concept emphasizes the reality that humans are a major ecological force, actively reshaping the Earth's landscapes and altering its natural processes.
Aerial view of a varied landscape with forest, geometric agricultural fields and city with gray buildings, flanked by a blue river.

The Emergence of the Anthrome Framework

The anthropogenic biome concept emerged from the work of Erle Ellis and Navin Ramankutty, who introduced it in their 2008 paper, "Putting People in the Map: Anthropogenic Biomes of the World." This innovative perspective considers the integral role of human beings in modifying ecological patterns and processes. The anthrome classification has since been recognized and utilized in scientific research, education, and policy-making. Updated maps and models of anthromes, reflecting the latest data and insights, continue to refine our understanding of human-dominated ecosystems and their global distribution.

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Anthromes classification basis

Based on human impact, land use, and management, not just natural factors.

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Anthromes diversity examples

Include urban areas, agricultural lands, and regions undergoing ecological recovery.

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Human role in anthromes

Humans as a major ecological force, reshaping landscapes and altering natural processes.

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