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Impacts of land-use change to ecosystem services

January 1, 2013

Increasing human populations on the landscape and globe coincide with increasing demands for food, energy, and other natural resources, with generally negative impacts to wildlife habitat, air and water quality, and natural scenery. Here we define and describe the impacts of land-use change on ecosystem services – the services that ecosystems provide humans such as filtering air and water, providing food, resources, recreation, and esthetics. We show how the human footprint is rapidly expanding due to population growth, demand for resources, and globalization. Increased trade and transportation has brought all the continents back together, creating new challenges for conserving native species and ecosystems.

Publication Year 2013
Title Impacts of land-use change to ecosystem services
Authors Tom Stohlgren, Tracy R. Holcombe
Publication Type Book Chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Index ID 70156457
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Fort Collins Science Center