Mapping Human Pressure for Nature Conservation: A Review

• Published in: Remote sensing (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 16; no. 20; p. 3866
• Main Authors: Luo, Quanxin, Li, Shicheng, Wang, Haifang, Cheng, Haonan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-10-2024
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agriculture; Biodiversity; biodiversity conservation; Biological diversity conservation; China; Conservation; Deforestation; Digital mapping; Ecological function; Economic growth; Ecosystems; Endangered & extinct species; Environmental economics; GDP; Geospatial data; Gross Domestic Product; Habitats; human footprint; human pressure; Influence; Infrastructure; Land conservation; Land use; Livestock; Mapping; Nature conservation; Nonnative species; Pollution; Protected areas; Protection and preservation; Remote sensing; review; Roads & highways; Sustainable development; Terrestrial ecosystems; Transportation planning; Urban development; Virtual humans; China
• ISSN: 2072-4292; 2072-4292
• DOI: 10.3390/rs16203866

The escalating human pressures on natural ecosystems necessitate urgent and effective conservation strategies to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This review explored current techniques for mapping human pressure, with a particular focus on their application in nature conservation, especially within protected areas (PAs). Specifically, we analyzed the impacts of seven major types of human pressures on nature conservation within PAs. Additionally, we discussed four key methods for mapping human pressure, including land use intensity, human footprint, digital human footprint, and other proxies, examining their distinct characteristics and respective advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, our research explored the application of human pressure mapping for nature conservation, assessing its suitability for conservation applications and delineating directions for future work. These insights contributed to better support nature conservation and the management of PAs.