FIGURE 1.13 Photo Essay: Human Impacts on the Biosphere Humans have had enormous impacts on the biosphere. The map and insets show varying levels of these impacts on the biosphere as of 2002. The depictions here are derived from a synthesis of hundreds of studies. High-impact areas are associated with intense urbanization. Medium-to-high-impact areas areas are associated with roads, railways, agriculture, or other intensive land uses. Low-to-medium-impact areas are experiencing biodiversity loss and other disturbances related to human activity. For more details, go to www.whfreeman.com/pulsipher.
1.13a Courtesy Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images, 1.13b Courtesy Massoud Hossaini/AFP/Getty Images, 1.13c Courtesy China Photos/Getty Images, 1.13d & 1.13f Courtesy NASA, 1.13e Courtesy Mario Tama/Getty Images