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.
Summary
Outline
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.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.Categories of Human-Influenced Terrestrial Ecosystems
Within the framework of anthropogenic biomes, the intensive land-use biome is a major category that includes several distinct ecosystem types shaped by human activities. These are pastures, croplands, plantations, urban areas, and semi-natural ecosystems. Pastures and croplands are primarily used for agriculture to sustain an increasing human population. Plantations are managed for the production of trees and other perennial plants, often for economic purposes. Urban areas are characterized by dense human populations and infrastructure. Semi-natural ecosystems, while influenced by human presence, maintain some natural characteristics and functions. These categories illustrate the variety of ways in which humans have transformed natural landscapes to fulfill their needs.Human Influence on Aquatic and Subterranean Biomes
The scope of anthropogenic biomes extends to include human-modified aquatic and subterranean environments. In freshwater systems, anthropogenic biomes encompass constructed wetlands, reservoirs, rice paddies, aquaculture facilities, and irrigation networks, all designed to support human needs for food, water, and land management. The marine anthropogenic biome includes artificial reefs and marine farms that impact coastal and oceanic ecosystems. Subterranean anthropogenic biomes are represented by mines and other underground structures resulting from extraction activities. Transitional biomes, such as those along modified shorelines or within engineered freshwater systems, illustrate the intersection of human infrastructure with natural water bodies. These biomes demonstrate human creativity and the ability to engineer new ecosystems to serve various purposes.Human Impact on Global Ecosystems
The anthropogenic biome concept highlights the extensive influence of human activities on Earth's ecosystems, a phenomenon that has been ongoing for millennia. Today, the majority of terrestrial ecosystems exhibit signs of human alteration, whether through agriculture, urban development, or other land-use practices. Understanding anthromes is essential for grasping the current state of global ecosystems and for formulating effective conservation and management strategies. By examining anthropogenic biomes, we can gain insights into the intricate relationship between human societies and the environment, aiming for a sustainable balance that safeguards both ecological health and human prosperity.
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Definition of Anthropogenic Biomes
Introduction to Anthropogenic Biomes
Anthropogenic biomes are a modern classification of Earth's terrestrial environments that take into account the significant impact of human activity on ecosystems
Emergence of the Anthrome Framework
Work of Erle Ellis and Navin Ramankutty
The concept of anthropogenic biomes was introduced by Erle Ellis and Navin Ramankutty in their 2008 paper, "Putting People in the Map: Anthropogenic Biomes of the World."
Recognition and utilization of the anthrome classification
The anthrome framework has been recognized and utilized in scientific research, education, and policy-making
Categories of Human-Influenced Terrestrial Ecosystems
Within the framework of anthropogenic biomes, the intensive land-use biome is a major category that includes several distinct ecosystem types shaped by human activities
Human Impact on Terrestrial Ecosystems
Pastures and Croplands
Pastures and croplands are primarily used for agriculture to sustain an increasing human population
Plantations and Urban Areas
Plantations are managed for the production of trees and other perennial plants, while urban areas are characterized by dense human populations and infrastructure
Semi-Natural Ecosystems
Semi-natural ecosystems maintain some natural characteristics and functions, while also being influenced by human presence
Human Influence on Aquatic and Subterranean Biomes
Freshwater Systems
Anthropogenic biomes in freshwater systems include constructed wetlands, reservoirs, rice paddies, aquaculture facilities, and irrigation networks
Marine Anthropogenic Biome
The marine anthropogenic biome includes artificial reefs and marine farms that impact coastal and oceanic ecosystems
Subterranean Anthropogenic Biome
Subterranean anthropogenic biomes are represented by mines and other underground structures resulting from extraction activities
Human Impact on Global Ecosystems
Extensive Influence of Human Activities
The anthropogenic biome concept highlights the extensive influence of human activities on Earth's ecosystems, which has been ongoing for millennia
Understanding Anthromes
Understanding anthromes is essential for grasping the current state of global ecosystems and for formulating effective conservation and management strategies
Relationship between Human Societies and the Environment
By examining anthropogenic biomes, we can gain insights into the intricate relationship between human societies and the environment, aiming for a sustainable balance that safeguards both ecological health and human prosperity
Exploring Human-Dominated Ecosystems: Anthropogenic Biomes
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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.
